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Mohan Padmanabhan

KOLKATA, May 17

THE Orissa Government has drawn up a blueprint for taking big strides in the medical education-cum-healthcare sector in the State, and has proposed to set up three new medical college-cum-hospitals in Bhubaneswar, Balasore and Raigada.

Feasibility studies have already been initiated to consider private sector participation in a big way in these healthcare projects. The plan is to set up a 500-bed hospital attached to a medical college, which can admit 250 to 300 students in each academic year, sources said.

The State now has only three recognised (by the Medical Council of India) medical college facilities at Cuttack, Berhampur and Burla.

The State Government is scouting for a private sector consultant for the project, which is likely to cost around Rs 200-250 crore, as per preliminary estimates. The scope for collaboration with a foreign partner to bring in venture capital is also being examined, State Government sources said.

It is learnt that a preliminary presentation by a private sector consultant has already been made. Such private consultants, if given the mandate, will also help canalise availability of grant/ subsidy from foreign governments for such medical facilities, it is pointed out.

A nursing training institute, which will be able to accommodate 150 to 200 trainee nurses every year, is also being considered. Sources say that with the additional medical college facilities being sought to be created, the State may be in a position to offer an additional 450 seats for all-India medical students, over and above the existing 450.

The sources told Business Line that the State Government was particularly keen on creating better medical facilities, mainly for the poor and the needy, who may benefit under the Jana Raksha insurance scheme announced by the Finance Minister, Mr Yashwant Sinha, in Budget 2002-03.

The insurance scheme, aimed at the needy sections of the population, envisages indoor treatment at hospitals for the needy on a small token payment per day, which will cover patients for treatment expenses up to Rs 30,000 per year at select and designated hospitals across the country. Coverage for outpatient treatment at designated medical clinics up to Rs 2,000 per year may also be offered.

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