Health Minister urges Centre for functioning of Medical College by MCL at Talcher

Bhubaneswar, Oct 8: Health Minister Naba Kisore Das today urged the union government to start functioning of the Medical College and Hospital at Talcher in Angul district by the Mahanadi Coal Fields Limited (MCL). Das today wrote a letter to union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya in this regard. “ Angul district in Odisha is the hub of coal mining activity, which is providing energy security to the country. The Central PSU, Mahanadi Coal Fields Limited (MCL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited, is among the largest coal mining companies in the country. As part of its CSR commitment for the district, MCL had signed an MoU with the State Government in 2014, to establish a 500-beded & 100-seated Medical College and Hospital at Talcher, Angul District. The State Government has provided 20 acres of land free-of-cost,” read the letter. Das further wrote that the initial commitment of MCL was to operationalise the Medical College in the academic year 2016-17. “ The construction of the campus was completed in 2019-20. Since last two years, the infrastructure has not been utilised for starting the Medical College and Hospital. It is requested that the Union Government may take suitable steps for early operationalisation of this Medical College and Hospital. This facility will help in further strengthening the healthcare services in the region and enhance the availability of doctors in Odisha,” added the letter.