Odisha signs 10 MoUs with institutions like AIIMS, Amrita Hospital, and IFC to enhance trauma care, paediatric surgery, and health infrastructure
OdishaPlus Bureau
In a major push to strengthen healthcare delivery, medical education and health infrastructure, the Odisha government on Tuesday signed 10 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with leading national and international institutions.
The agreements were signed in the presence of Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling at Lok Seva Bhawan.
The partner institutions include I-Hub Gujarat, Antara Foundation, All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Seva Daan Aarogya Foundation of the Adani Group, Health System Transformation Platform, Centre for Emergency and Trauma Care of AIIMS-New Delhi, Amrita Hospital, Kochi, National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), International Finance Corporation (IFC), Tata Steel Foundation and Kaivalya Education Foundation under Project Swasth.
Addressing the gathering, Mahaling said the collaborations cover several key areas, including trauma care, traditional medicine, diagnostics, medical innovation, paediatric cardiac care, climate-resilient health infrastructure and institutional capacity building.
Under the agreement with AIIMS-New Delhi’s Centre for Emergency and Trauma Care, a Trauma Care Centre of Excellence will be established at a government medical college in Odisha, while trauma care services across the State will also be upgraded.
The partnership with the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) aims to promote evidence-based Ayurvedic treatment and medicines rooted in India’s traditional knowledge systems. Meanwhile, I-Hub Gujarat will support innovation, medical start-ups and modern teaching practices in medical education.
To improve the quality of diagnostic services, the State has agreed with NABL to facilitate accreditation of laboratories in district headquarters hospitals and sub-divisional hospitals.
Under the MoU with Seva Daan Aarogya Foundation, patient attendants’ rest houses will be established at six government medical colleges and hospitals, providing safe and affordable accommodation for family members accompanying patients.
The agreement with Amrita Hospital, Kochi, focuses on treatment of children suffering from congenital heart disease (CHD). Eligible children will receive free cardiac surgeries, interventional procedures, post-operative care and follow-up treatment. The hospital will also organise free screening camps for heart disease among children in remote parts of Odisha.
The Health Department has also partnered with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to develop a climate-smart drug warehouse network, aimed at strengthening the State’s pharmaceutical storage and supply chain infrastructure.
In addition, the agreements with the Tata Steel Foundation and Kaivalya Education Foundation under Project Swasth seek to enhance healthcare services, promote research and improve institutional capacity across Odisha.
Describing the MoUs as a significant step towards strengthening the State’s public healthcare system, Mahaling said the partnerships would help improve access to quality healthcare, introduce best practices and modern technologies, and enhance medical education and patient care across Odisha.