Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister of Orissa jointly dedicated the Shri Jagannath Medical College & Hospital (SJMCH) in Puri, Odisha to the nation. Manohar Agnani, AS, Health Ministry, Hekali Zhimomi, JS, Health Ministry and other senior officials of the Ministry were also present on the occasion. 

Expressing his elation at the event, Dr Mandaviya said that the hospital will play a pivotal role in training doctors and providing good medical facilities to the people of Odisha. He interacted with the students who will be part of the inaugural batch of the hospital and motivated them to work hard and serve in the remotest corners of the country so that healthcare can reach the last mile.

The Union Health Minister requested the Chief Minister to integrate Ayushman Bharat Yojana with the existing state health facilities to further improve the access to healthcare in India. Patnaik congratulated the students and informed them that 15 per cent of seats in the hospital are reserved for students from government schools. 

The SJMCH is part of five medical colleges built under Phase I of the scheme for ‘Establishment of new medical colleges attached with existing district/referral hospitals’. All the hospitals under the scheme have been built at an approved cost of Rs 945 Cr with 60 per cent of the contribution (Rs 567 crore) coming from the Union Government. With the inauguration of the SJMCH, all five medical colleges have become functional now.