Bhubaneswar, Aug 4 (IANS) In a significant development, the Odisha Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) Department on Tuesday signed ten Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with different organisations, aiming to strengthen healthcare services, medical education, research and infrastructure in the state.
The organisations include Gujarat’s I-HUB, The Antara Foundation (TAF), All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Health Systems Transformation Platform, Centre for Emergency and Trauma Care of AIIMS Delhi, Paediatric Cardiac Care of Amrita Hospital in Kochi, Quality Council of India for NABL accreditations of Medical College and Hospital/District Headquarters Hospital labs, Transaction Advisory Services Agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for scientific drug warehousing network, and Kaivalya Education Foundation for Project SWASTH.
Describing the occasion as a historic day for the Health Department, Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the department has entered into ten strategic partnerships aimed at improving various aspects of healthcare delivery in Odisha.
Mahaling said the MoU with AIIMS Delhi’s Centre for Emergency and Trauma Care would facilitate the development of one medical college at a district headquarters as a Centre of Excellence for Trauma Care, significantly strengthening trauma care services across the state.
He added that the collaboration with the All India Institute of Ayurveda would promote Ayurveda-based treatment systems and medicines developed under India’s traditional knowledge system.
He said the partnership with Gujarat’s I-HUB would promote startups, innovation and improved teaching methodologies in medical education.
He further stated that through the Quality Council of India, laboratories in district headquarters hospitals and sub-divisional hospitals would receive NABL accreditation, leading to improved quality standards and diagnostic services.
“This is a major step by the government to improve the healthcare system for the people and advance medical education. Similarly, rest houses will be established in six medical colleges and hospitals of the state, and relatives accompanying patients will benefit from a safe and convenient accommodation system,” said Mahaling.
He also said free health camps would be organised in remote areas for screening children with congenital heart diseases (CHD). Under the agreement with Amrita Hospital, Kochi, children in Odisha suffering from congenital heart disease would receive completely free surgeries, interventional cardiac procedures, post-operative treatment and follow-up care.
The Minister further said the agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, would support the development of a state-wide climate-smart drug warehousing network. In addition, MoUs signed with Kaivalya Education Foundation under Project SWASTH are expected to strengthen healthcare services, research and infrastructure in the state.
On the occasion, the Minister also virtually inaugurated upgraded infrastructure for the Tele-MANAS service at the second floor of the Institute of Mental Health building at SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack.
--IANS
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