The sectoral consultative workshop of Task Force for higher education held here today mooted the idea of setting up a state health university. The workshop titled “Medical Education: Challenges and Prospects”, stressed on upgradation of the existing government medical colleges and hospitals as unitary universities. The participants also emphasised the role of private players in setting up of medical colleges and the public-private partnership in health care service and education.
Speaking at the occasion, health and family welfare minister Mr Prasanna Acharya highlighted the recent steps taken by the state government to improve medical education in Orissa, and also, expressed his concern over the state loosing out talented doctors to corporate sectors and research centres abroad. He welcomed the proposal for setting up more para-medical and nursing schools in the state.
While appreciating the efforts of the existing medical colleges of the state and the gradual improvement in the health indicators, state higher education minister Mr Debi Prasad Mishra called for bringing in synergy of research and innovation with medical education.
The task force chairman stressed on more priority on medical research in the medical colleges, and exhorted the participants to come out with suggestions to explore new and emerging areas of interdisciplinary research.
We must infuse the spirit of rural services among the students, suggested higher education secretary Mr MS Padhi while stressing on ways and means to improve the existing scenario.
Health secretary Mrs Anu Garg felt that the wide range of diseases in the state could be exploited for medical research and education, and also suggested outsourcing of non-clinical activities so that the doctors can focus on clinical services only. The second session witnessed a vibrant discussion on various issues related to health scenario and medical education in the state.
Principals of all the three government medical colleges, representatives of private hospitals and medical colleges, senior officers from health department and task force members attended the programme.