The National Medical Commission (NMC) has approved 318 more postgraduate (PG) medical seats in Odisha.
This takes the state's total from 620 to 938.
PG seats are places for doctors who want to study a specialist course after their basic medical degree.
The NMC is the national body for medical education in India.
The new seats are spread across 14 departments.
These include Anatomy, Anaesthesiology, General Medicine, General Surgery, Paediatrics and Psychiatry.
Key points
- 318 new PG medical seats approved in Odisha.
- The state total rises from 620 to 938.
- Five new government medical colleges can now start PG courses, with 153 seats.
- The seats cover 14 departments across the state.
What changes for the new medical colleges?
Five state-run medical colleges and institutions get fresh seats. Some of them are getting PG courses for the first time.
Dharanidhar Medical College and Hospital in Keonjhar gets 44 seats across 10 departments.
Government Medical College and Hospital in Sundargarh gets 22 seats across eight departments.
SLN Medical College and Hospital in Koraput gets 28 seats.
Pabitra Mohan Pradhan Government Medical College and Hospital in Talcher gets 32 seats.
Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati Government Medical College and Hospital in Phulbani gets 27 seats.
seats
Graphic: News Anek, from the facts in this report
Which existing colleges get more seats?
Several colleges that already offer PG courses are getting a bigger share. Their seat counts are rising sharply.
Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College and Hospital in Baripada rises from 20 to 53 seats.
Bhima Bhoi Medical College and Hospital in Balangir rises from 10 to 54.
Fakir Mohan Medical College and Hospital in Balasore rises from eight to 54 seats.
PGIMER and Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar gets 11 extra seats. SCB Medical College in Cuttack gets 17 more.
Why does this matter for healthcare in Odisha?
Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling said the development is a significant step forward.
He said it adds a new chapter to medical education and healthcare in the state.
He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi for the progress.
More trained specialist doctors can help local hospitals serve people better.
