Bhubaneswar: Odisha Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Mukesh Mahaling on Tuesday reviewed the progress of infrastructure development, fire safety measures and ongoing expansion projects at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, directing officials to maintain the highest quality standards while completing the works on schedule.
During his visit, the minister inspected the under-construction hospital block, postgraduate (PG) hostel, hostel for resident doctors and residential quarters for assistant professors. He reviewed the progress of construction and discussed the quality of work with officials associated with the projects.
Dr Mahaling also assessed the fire safety preparedness across the hospital campus. He directed officials to ensure that every building is equipped with functional firefighting equipment, emergency exit routes, fire alarm systems and other essential safety infrastructure.
Emphasising that patient safety must remain the top priority, the minister instructed the authorities to conduct regular fire safety audits and mock drills to strengthen emergency preparedness at the state’s premier healthcare institution.
Reviewing the ongoing expansion works, Dr Mahaling said the state government is committed to building an advanced, modern and patient-friendly healthcare system. He noted that strengthening healthcare infrastructure and improving medical education at SCB Medical College and Hospital remain among the government’s key priorities.
He also directed officials to closely monitor the quality of construction at every stage to ensure that the upgraded facilities meet the highest standards.
The minister said the expansion projects are aimed at improving patient care, providing a better working environment for doctors and healthcare personnel, and enhancing educational and residential facilities for medical students. He added that the creation of modern infrastructure would further strengthen both healthcare delivery and medical education in Odisha.
Besides infrastructure projects, Dr Mahaling reviewed sanitation, patient amenities, water and electricity supply, traffic management and other support services within the hospital campus. He instructed officials to take immediate steps wherever required to ensure that patients and their attendants receive safe, efficient and comfortable services.
The visit was attended by Cuttack Sadar MLA Prakash Chandra Sethi, Choudwar-Cuttack MLA Souvic Biswal, Health and Family Welfare Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Aswathy S., senior officials of SCB Medical College and Hospital, representatives of the executing agencies and other senior officials of the Health Department.
