The National Thermal and Power Corporation’s (NTPC) project to start a Medical College and Hospital (MCH) at Sankara in Sundergarh town, which has been delayed by several years, will in all probability commence its operations from July ahead of the 2020-21 academic session. Sources from NTPC have said that the construction work has been completed, and efforts are presently underway to procure necessary medical equipment.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, while addressing a public rally in Sundergarh on March 3, had said that the MCH will soon start providing healthcare services. The facility has been constructed at an estimated cost of ₹417 crores.
The NTPC had originally proposed the MCH as a part of its CSR initiatives in October 2010. It did so while setting up its 3,200 MW green-field Darlipali Super Thermal Power Project in the district. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Odisha government and NTPC in December 2013. As per the agreement, NTPC was to invest ₹350 crores into the project, while the state health department was tasked to run it. The foundation stone was laid by the Chief Minister on January 22, 2014.
A senior medical officer said that the MCH will start functioning with 500 beds and 100 medical seats. NTPC is likely to hand over the infrastructure and logistics by April, following which the DMET will prepare a feasibility report and recommend the MCH to the Medical Council of India (MCI) for an inspection visit. Chief District Medical and Public Health Officer, Dr. SK Mishra, said the MCH comes as a blessing for Sundergarh and Jharsuguda districts, which are mostly dominated by tribal populations.