Burla: Earlier, Odisha had only three medical colleges. Among them, Burla Medical College was one of the prominent institutions. However, it faced challenges as teachers from coastal Odisha were often reluctant to come here.
Over time, the scenario has changed, and so has the status of BIMSAR. Transportation services have improved, and law and order have become more stable. Burla has now evolved into an educational hub. Initially, Sambalpur University was the only autonomous institution, but over time, other prestigious institutions like VIMSAR, GM University, IIM, and OUTR have been established, strengthening its educational reputation.
To enhance the quality of medical education, it was necessary to transform VSS Medical College into an autonomous institution, leading to the establishment of BIMSAR. This transition was crucial to addressing the shortage of doctors, and since January 1, 2015, patients have benefited from this development.
BIMSAR was born from VSS Medical College with the primary goal of increasing the presence of doctors and making it a preferred choice for medical students from different states. Previously, many postgraduate (PG) seats remained vacant due to a lack of interest from students outside Odisha. However, this situation has changed, and now almost all PG seats are filled. Students from across the country are coming here for medical education, enhancing the institution’s prestige.
Additionally, security concerns have significantly reduced. Female medical students now feel safe, even at night, which was not the case before.
Advancements in Nursing Education
BIMSAR has also achieved notable success in the field of nursing education. Earlier, there was only a nursing school, but now a nursing college has been established, offering courses up to the SSC Nursing level. Previously, the institute had to rely on DMET for various needs, but that dependency has decreased.
95% Faculty Positions Filled
Earlier, many faculty members would leave midway for other institutions. However, the situation has improved significantly, and currently, 90-95% of faculty positions are filled across most departments. Compared to national medical institutions, where 34-35% of faculty positions remain vacant, BIMSAR has managed to meet the National Medical Council (NMC) requirements to a large extent. Previously, non-clinical departments like Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry struggled with vacancies, but this issue has now been largely resolved.
Improved Patient Inflow and Transportation
Previously, due to poor transportation, patients hesitated to come to Burla after 5 PM. However, improved connectivity has led to a continuous influx of patients. Earlier, OPD services would cater to around 1,000 patients daily, but now, more than 2,500 patients seek treatment every day in various departments. Even though medical colleges have been established in Balangir, Sundargarh, and Kalahandi, BIMSAR continues to attract patients from these regions.
The transition to BIMSAR has also led to significant administrative improvements, allowing for better local decision-making. Despite several challenges, the establishment of a super-specialty hospital and the recruitment of super-specialty doctors have further strengthened the institution.
As a result, BIMSAR has made remarkable progress compared to its predecessor, VSS Medical College. It continues to advance step by step, achieving new milestones in medical education and healthcare services.