Sambalpur: Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Science and Research (Vimsar) will be one of the best health care provider of east India with the support of the government and the public, its director Aswini Pujahari said on Thursday.
"We have plan to make this premier medical institute as a superspecialty hospital in various departments," Pujahari told The Telegraph.
Superspecialty units in cardiology, urology, gastroenterology, plastic surgery, haematology and rheumatology will be opened at the hospital in a phase-wise manner.
Pujahari said that the number of patients coming to Vimsar were increasing with every passing day. Patients coming from remote areas and neighbouring states are gaining confidence that proper treatment will be available to them here.
"We have suggested the state government to construct a seven-storey building to accommodate an advanced casualty ward, some OPD units and an administrative block. A sum of Rs 340 crore will be required for the purpose, Pujahari said.
He said, the institute had plans to open a dental college, a pharmacy college as well. It also plans to start B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in nursing.
"At present, there is a shortage of 20 per cent staff and efforts are on to recruit doctors and para-medical staffs to cater to the need of the growing institution," he said. For recruitment of specialist doctors, he stressed the need for providing extra allowances to the teaching staff. He suggested the state government to provide special pay package as the state was paying to the doctors posted in Koraput-Balangir-Kalahandi districts.
"Unless we pay more, no senior and experienced doctor will opt for Vimsar," he added.
"We also have plans to recruit specialists for opening genetic medical and Emergency medicine units. The government has initiated proposal for opening a cancer hospital in Burla for this region. It will be a great help to the needy patients if we can open a complete cancer care unit in Burla," he said.
He also said that Vimsar would shortly introduce PET scan and open a 24x7 affordable medicine store on the campus.
Pujahari said: "We should concentrate on opening of specialist centers in subjects such as neurology, nephrology, orthopaedics and cardiology, in various medical institutions of Odisha so that best possible specialist treatment can be available to patients in a cheaper rate. These centres should be properly equipped to take patients with a challenge."