No politics plz to establish ESI Medical College at Balangir

No politics plz!
Tathya.in, Aug 9, 2009
Balanigir:9/August/2009

Politicians think for the next election, where as Statesman focus on the future of the nation.

It is unfortunate that we have politicians like Rama Chandra Khuntia.

Mr.Khuntia a long time labor leader and is engaged in politics over 3 decades, talks like small time politicians feel Non Resident Oriyas(NRO)s.

The Rajya Sabha MP from Orissa is blaming the State Government for proposing a Medical College at Balangir rather than in Bhubaneswar.

The Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) was to establish such a medical college in Orissa and it shown interest to set up at Bhubaneswar.

As the required land is not allotted to ESIC, it has dropped the idea, says a report in leading daily The Samaja.

There are 5 medical colleges coming up in Bhubaneswar region and State Government has rightly proposed to the ESIC for setting up a medical college in Balangir, said Sandip Dasverma, a leading NRO.

Places like Balanagir, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Kandhamal etc where secondary health facilities are in bad shape need special attention, said he.

People of Nuapada needs to travel 600 km to reach Bhubaneswar, would such hospital would be worthy for them in case of emergency?, asked Digambara Patra.

Dr.Patra, who teaches at American University of Beirut, said this region does not have any Government medical colleges.

Instead of fighting for such medical college in those backward regions leaders like Mr.Khuntia are playing politics on the issue.

He pointed out that Mr.Khuntia is favoring a region which has already two government medical colleges.

The proposed AIIMS, world class national University that would include medical college, 3 private medical colleges and hospitals including Appolo, Kalinga and a hospital of the proposed Vedanta University at Puri are in offing.

Taking the cue, Sanjib Kumar Karmee of Delft University of Technology has asked the Orissa leaders to focus where it is required most rather than putting everything in a single basket.

Dr.Karmee has appreciated the idea of the State Government for proposing ESI medical college in Balangir.

NROs have hoped that the political personalities would fight for ESI medical College to be established in Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal or Sundergarh region rather blaming state Government for not favoring the establishment in the Capital City.