Bhubaneswar: On Tuesday, the Odisha Health and Family Welfare Department entered into ten Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with a range of prominent national and international organizations to bolster healthcare delivery, medical education, research, and health infrastructure throughout the state.

The signing took place at Kharavela Bhavan in Bhubaneswar, attended by Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling.

Among the institutions involved are I-Hub from Gujarat, Antara Foundation, the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Adani Group’s Seva Daan Aarogya Foundation, Health System Transformation Platform, AIIMS New Delhi’s Centre for Emergency and Trauma Care, Amrita Hospital in Kochi, the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Tata Steel Foundation, and Kaivalya Education Foundation as part of Project Swasth, according to officials.

Minister Mahaling described the signing of these agreements as a “historic day” for the department, highlighting that they were established under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to enhance healthcare services across various sectors.

He noted that the collaboration with AIIMS New Delhi’s Centre for Emergency and Trauma Care is set to lead to the creation of a medical college at a district headquarters, designated as a Centre of Excellence for Trauma Care, while also improving trauma care services throughout Odisha.

The agreement with the All India Institute of Ayurveda aims to promote healthcare rooted in Indian knowledge systems and Ayurveda, while Gujarat’s I-Hub will aid in fostering innovation, startups, and modern teaching methodologies in medical education. Additionally, the partnership with NABL will facilitate the accreditation and upgrading of laboratories in district headquarters and sub-divisional hospitals to enhance diagnostic quality.

Moreover, the Seva Daan Aarogya Foundation is set to provide patient attendants’ rest houses at six government medical colleges and hospitals, ensuring safe and comfortable accommodations for family members accompanying patients.

Furthermore, the Minister announced the organization of free heart disease screening camps for children in remote regions of the state. Through the agreement with Amrita Hospital, children in Odisha with congenital heart defects will receive free surgeries, interventional cardiac procedures, post-operative care, and follow-up treatment.

The department also formalized an agreement with the International Finance Corporation, part of the World Bank Group, aimed at establishing a climate-smart drug warehouse network within the state.

Separate MoUs with Tata Steel Foundation and Kaivalya Education Foundation for Project Swasth are intended to enhance healthcare services, research, and institutional frameworks.

During the event, the upgraded Tele-MANAS facility at the Mental Health Institute of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack was virtually inaugurated. This enhanced center is anticipated to improve access to mental health counseling, psychological support, and expert guidance for individuals across Odisha, especially those residing in remote areas, through telephone-based services.

Present at the event were Principal Secretary Aswathy S, National Health Mission Managing Director Brunda D, representatives from partner institutions, and senior officials from the department.