Odisha: Good news for medical students; 318 new PG seats added, bringing the total to 938..

There is good news for medical students in Odisha. The National Medical Commission (NMC) has approved 318 additional postgraduate (PG) medical seats in the state. With this, the total number of PG medical seats in the state has increased from 620 to 938. This approval covers various departments across five government medical colleges and other institutions. According to officials, this decision will expand the scope of medical education in the state and provide students with more opportunities for postgraduate studies.

Which colleges received approval?
The NMC’s ​​approval has paved the way for the commencement of PG courses at five new government medical colleges in Odisha.
A total of 153 seats have been allocated to these colleges.
Dharanidhar Medical College and Hospital in Keonjhar has been granted 44 seats across 10 departments.
The Government Medical College in Sundargarh has received 22 seats across eight departments, while SLN Medical College in Koraput has been allocated 28 seats across nine departments.
The medical colleges in Talcher and Phulbani have received 32 and 27 seats, respectively.

Which colleges saw an increase in seats?
PG seats have also been increased in some of the state’s existing medical colleges. At Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College in Baripada, the number of seats has risen from 20 to 53. Bhima Bhoi Medical College in Balangir will now have 54 seats, up from 10. At Fakir Mohan Medical College in Balasore, the number of PG seats has increased from eight to 54. PGIMER and Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar have received 11 additional seats. This will enhance educational opportunities at these institutions.

How many seats were allocated to other institutions?
SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack has been granted 17 additional PG seats. The Acharya Harihar Post Graduate Institute of Cancer has received three additional seats. Meanwhile, 11 additional seats have been allocated to VIMSAR in Burla. With these approvals, the total number of postgraduate (PG) medical seats in the state has reached 938, up from the previous 620. This means medical students will now have a wider range of options for pursuing specialized studies.

In which subjects will these seats be available?
These additional PG seats have been distributed across 14 departments, including Anatomy, Anesthesia, Biochemistry, Community Medicine, ENT, General Medicine, and General Surgery. Furthermore, seats have been increased in the departments of Microbiology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Orthopedics, Pediatrics, Pathology, Psychiatry, and Respiratory Medicine. Students pursuing these subjects will now have greater opportunities. Additionally, this will help in developing specialized doctors capable of treating various medical conditions within the state's hospitals.

What did the Health Minister say?
Odisha’s Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Mukesh Mahaling, described this decision as a significant step for medical education and healthcare services in the state. He stated that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, a new chapter has begun for the state’s health and medical education sector. He also expressed his gratitude to Union Health Minister JP Nadda and the National Medical Commission (NMC). According to the Minister, the increase in PG seats is not merely an expansion of medical education, but a move toward producing more skilled doctors and specialists within the state.

How will patients benefit?
The Health Minister noted that the introduction of PG medical studies in regions such as Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Koraput, Talcher, and Phulbani will foster the development of healthcare facilities across various parts of the state. Currently, many patients are compelled to travel to larger cities to seek better medical care. With an increased availability of specialized doctors at the local level, people will be able to access quality treatment closer to their homes. This will expand healthcare services and help people living in remote areas gain access to better medical treatment.

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