The Odisha government has proposed the Centre for the setting up of a second All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Sundargarh district to provide better health care to the people in western parts of the state.

In a letter to the Union Health&Family Welfare secretary Rajesh Bhushan, Chief Secretary Asit Kumar Tripathy said that Odisha has an entirely functional AIIMS in Bhubaneswar which has emerged as one of the leading AIIMS in the country in terms of medical education and quality health care.

Tripathy said a second branch of the premier hospital has been established in Bihar and a similar proposal is under consideration in another state. "Therefore, a second AIIMS may be considered for western Odisha in view of the healthcare requirements in the state," he said.

The hospital in Sundergarh is designed for 500 beds and the college will be sufficient to have 100 strength in MBBS, Tripathy said, adding that the available infrastructure can be utilized for setting up of AIIMS within a short period of time.

Odisha govt plans admission in three new medical colleges next year

80th two day All India Presiding Officers Conference from November 25

All India Bank Employees' Association to join countrywide strike on Thursday