Chief minister Naveen Patnaik lays the foundation stone of the Mahanadi Institute of Medical Science and Research in presence of Union coal and power minister Piyush Goyal (left) in Talcher on Thursday. 

“We need more doctors in the state as the three medical colleges in the state produce about 500 doctors per year, which is not enough to meet the demand. Works to set up medical colleges in five districts are on and some others are in the offing,” said Naveen. 

The chief minister also called upon central public sector undertakings and private industrial houses to come forward and set up more such institutes. 

Union minister of state for petroleum and natural gas Dharmendra Pradhan, who was also present on the occasion, said the Centre had approved eight medical colleges and already three have materialised. 

Earlier in the day, a skill development centre was inaugurated at NTPC power station in Kaniha.

Text by B.K. Rout, Telegraph picture