Odisha is set to welcome the establishment of five new multi-specialty and super-specialty hospitals in a pioneering initiative under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
The Department of Health & Family Welfare in Odisha recently inked agreements with private partners to initiate the development of affordable multi-specialty hospitals comprising 100 to 200 beds in Angul, Barbil, Bhadrak, and Jharsuguda, as well as a dedicated cancer care super-specialty hospital through the PPP framework.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, participating virtually, emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to infrastructure development for high-quality healthcare and services, considering it a top priority. He stated, “The state is dedicated to meeting the healthcare needs of Odisha’s citizens in an equitable, efficient, transparent, and time-bound manner, with our motto being ‘Every Life is Precious.’ I urge everyone to collaborate in our mission for a Healthy and Happy Odisha.”
Highlighting the transformative journey in the healthcare sector within Odisha, the Chief Minister praised the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, which has boosted the morale of nearly one crore families by addressing their health-related issues. Private healthcare providers play a significant role in achieving this objective, and thus, the state encourages private investments in the healthcare sector to establish institutions at the district level.
Expressing his delight over the signed agreements with private healthcare operators, Chief Minister Patnaik anticipated that this collaboration would significantly improve healthcare access for people in these areas. He extended his best wishes to the private sector partners and assured them of the state’s unwavering support and facilitation for the prompt commissioning of these healthcare facilities.
Health & Family Welfare Minister Niranjan Pujari affirmed the state’s commitment to making healthcare accessible, affordable, and inclusive across Odisha, guided by the Chief Minister’s vision.
Per the MoUs, a consortium of Utkal Healthcare Pvt Ltd. and Silicon Institute of Technology will spearhead the development of 200-bed multi-specialty projects in Angul and Barbil. Meanwhile, the 100-bed projects in Bhadrak and Jharsuguda will be implemented by a consortium of Cygnus Medicare Pvt Ltd. and Printlink Computer & Communication Pvt Ltd. In Jharsuguda, a 120-bed cancer care super-specialty hospital will be established by Vizag Hospitals & Cancer Research Centre Pvt Ltd.
The government will provide land, capital assistance for construction, and required infrastructure connectivity. The PPP partners will be responsible for constructing the hospitals, staffing them, and delivering healthcare services for the next 30 years. For the Cancer Care Hospital, the government will provide land, construct the facility, and provide equipment, while the private partner will manage and operate it for a 15-year period.
These state-of-the-art hospitals, accredited by NABH, will offer round-the-clock trauma care, outpatient and inpatient services, and a range of multi-specialty and super-specialty healthcare services. Patients covered under the state government’s social insurance/assurance schemes will receive cashless services at these facilities at predefined rates, while the tariffs for other patients will be established in advance.
These hospitals are expected to serve more than six million residents in the state, significantly reducing travel time and out-of-pocket expenses for patients who previously had to travel to hospitals in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, or nearby states for treatment.
These five projects will require a combined investment of nearly Rs 500 Crore and will generate employment opportunities for over 3,500 medical, para-medical, nursing, and administrative professionals.
Prasanta Patnaik