Bhubaneswar, June 18: The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here has decided to set up a state-of-the-art school of public health near the city to provide quality health care services to people.

The proposed school will cater to the institute's research scholars and also conduct studies on the outbreak of various communicable diseases such as dengue and malaria. It will also work in the field of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and cardiac problems.

AIIMS Bhubaneswar director Ashok Kumar Mahapatra told The Telegraph that they had intimated the Khurda district administration for land to set up the institute. "We need nearly 15 acres for the institute. We have already written to the district administration. The institute will be set up within a 10km-radius of the main campus," he said.

The facility will create a specialist workforce in public health, both clinical and non-clinical, which would tackle specific health problems faced by the patients. It will also work to prevent the outbreak of diseases. It will also try to contain the spread of diseases in case of any outbreak.

The state has witnessed outbreaks of several communicable diseases such as dengue, malaria, diarrhoea and Japanese encephalitis from time to time. "Research is necessary in the health care sector. A number of people die every year due to the outbreak of various diseases. The people and health experts are unaware of the methods of prevention," said public health director Kailash Dash.

Terming the institute's move as significant for health research, Dash said the school of public health would save several lives. At present, only the Regional Medical Research Centre works on disease-related research. However, it works specifically in the field of vector-borne diseases.

"Outbreak of diseases is a common phenomenon here. The recent outbreak of jaundice in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack was an example. Given this backdrop, the proposed institute would be a boon for all. The institute should work effectively," said local resident Janmejaya Sahu.

Notably, the medical institution, along with the state government, has already undertaken surveys with regard to various diseases in the state. At present, it is conducting a survey on hearing loss among toddlers. "We have already partnered with the state health and family welfare department and are undertaking surveys on various diseases. The school of public health will make our job easier," said Mahapatra.