Rayagada: The establishment of a medical college in Rayagada has been under discussion for more than 10 years, but it has not yet materialized. The possibility of setting up a medical college emerged in 2013-14, but due to a lack of land, it did not succeed. Later, there were repeated discussions about setting it up under the PPP (Public-Private Partnership) model. Koraput MP Saptagiri Shankar Ulaka has raised this demand multiple times. With the BJP coming to power, hopes were reignited. Several ministers, including the Chief Minister and the Health Minister, have visited Rayagada and assured that a medical college would be established. However, no concrete steps have been taken so far, leaving the establishment of the medical college uncertain.
This year, the government has decided to set up a medical college in every district. Work will begin on MBBS courses in medical colleges in Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur, Nabarangpur, and Dhenkanal. Similarly, dental colleges for BDS courses will be established in Burla, Berhampur, and Keonjhar, while an Ayurvedic medical college will be built in Rairangpur, as stated by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi during the budget discussion in the Assembly. However, Rayagada district has been excluded from this plan.
Despite being rich in industry and mining, Rayagada has long been neglected in the field of healthcare. The district, predominantly inhabited by tribal communities, has gained national and international notoriety for outbreaks of diseases like cholera, dysentery, and malaria. Yet, the government has not paid adequate attention to the healthcare needs of Rayagada, leading to criticism.
There were rumors that the medical college would be established on JSCO land, but even now, 506 acres of land remain entangled in legal disputes. The DPR (Detailed Project Report) for the medical college has not been prepared yet, while some land mafias are exploiting the situation by claiming the college will be built there and selling nearby land at exorbitant prices.
Rayagada district was sanctioned 461 doctor positions, but currently, only 132 doctors are available. In the district headquarters hospital, only 13 specialists are serving instead of the required 45. Many doctor positions in CHCs and PHCs also remain vacant. If the government does not address this issue, the district will continue to suffer from inadequate healthcare services, said Rayagada MLA Aplaswami Kadraka.