Odisha’s Health Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling announced on Monday that the state now has a total of 3,025 MBBS seats. In a written response to Mohana MLA Dasarathi Gomanga in the State Assembly, he detailed that 1,800 of these seats are distributed across 14 government medical colleges, while six private medical colleges provide 1,100 seats, and AIIMS Bhubaneswar contributes 125 seats.

To enhance medical education further, the government is increasing the number of seats at several colleges. Maharaja Jajati Keshari Medical College and Hospital (MJKMCH) in Jajpur will receive an additional 50 seats, while Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital (SLN MCH) in Koraput and Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College and Hospital (PRMMCH) in Baripada will each see an increase of 25 seats. Additionally, Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VSSUT/VIMSAR) is set to gain 50 more seats.

Moreover, Minister Mukesh Mahaling announced plans to establish four new government medical colleges in the districts of Dhenkanal, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, and Nabarangpur. This initiative aims to provide medical education and high-quality healthcare to underserved areas.

In addition to medical colleges, the Minister highlighted advancements in nursing and paramedical training. Currently, Odisha has eight nursing colleges and 21 ANM training centres operational. The government is preparing to launch eight more nursing colleges and has proposed to gradually establish nursing, paramedical, and allied medical science colleges in every district that currently lacks them. The objective is to develop a stronger and better-prepared healthcare workforce across the state.