Union Minister asks Odisha to provide land for 3 new medical colleges at earliest

Bhubaneswar: Odisha government should identify and provide land for three new proposed medical colleges in the State at the earliest, said Union Minister of State for Health Ashwini Kumar Choubey on Sunday.

Choubey, who is on a visit to the State to inaugurate the Balasore medical college on Monday, further stated the Centre is ready to fund the establishment of three medical colleges including one in Puri if land is given as early as possible.

He also appealed Odisha government to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Centre for implementation of the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

"The Centre would release the required fund for setting up of three new medical colleges once the State government provides land. Besides, I request the State to sign MoU with the Centre to implement the Ayushman Bharat scheme so that poor people of Odisha will be benefited," the Union Minister added.

A total of 29 states have already signed the MoU to implement the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme.