BERHAMPUR : Seven new medical colleges will come up in Odisha by next year in addition to the two that are under construction at Koraput and Mayurbhanj, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
The Chief Minister was in Berhampur on Saturday to attend the 68th annual conference of Odisha Medical Service Association.
Naveen said attempts are being made to provide health services in every village of the State and added that the Government has made provision for distribution of free medicines of around 400 varieties to patients under Nirmaya Yojana.
In order to give a boost to the health sector in the State, diploma courses would be started soon to create more paramedics, he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Health Minister Pradeep Amat said the Government is aware of the problems in the health sector and those are being solved gradually.
He said the new medical colleges at Koraput and Mayurbhanj will function from this year. Apart from modernising Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Centre in Cuttack, steps are being taken to provide chemotherapy free of cost to all the cancer patients in the State. He said sincere efforts are being made to create more doctors and provide better health services to people.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister reached the temporary abode of Budhi Thakurani at Desibehera Street here to pay obeisance to the Goddess. He also garlanded the statue of Biju Patnaik.