Bhubaneswar: Bhubaneswar, which was recognised as Odisha’s capital on April 13, 1948, is rapidly emerging as a major healthcare hub of eastern India, catering to patients not only from across the state, but also from outside. This is reflected in the patient profile at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar, where nearly 30% are from other states, including West Bengal.Not just AIIMS-Bhubaneswar, Capital Hospital, one of the oldest govt healthcare facilities in the state, is also receiving people from other states, especially after PG Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) came up on its campus. It receives around 5,000 patients per day. Govt is also preparing a plan to set up a dedicated burn unit at the Capital Hospital.With patient inflow steadily increasing, Bhubaneswar is attracting leading corporate players in the healthcare sector, further strengthening its medical ecosystem. Several new healthcare investments are underway, aimed at meeting the rising demand for specialised and tertiary care services.Presently, around 50 major hospitals are functioning in the capital city, having super-speciality, multispeciality and advanced healthcare facilities.A leading corporate hospital chain of the country is in the process of acquiring a city-based private hospital. Two years ago, a noted hospital group acquired another private hospital. Another noted hospital group has shown interest in setting up its hospital in Bhubaneswar, said an official of the health and family welfare department.Adding significant value to regional cancer care, the upcoming govt-aided Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital of Tata Memorial Centre on NISER campus, is expected to play a crucial role in enhancing advanced oncology services in eastern India. This 200-bed hospital will have a 12-bed nuclear medicine hospital for advanced cancer care.A medical cyclotron project planned at NISER will provide radioisotopes to PET-CT and other cancer diagnosis machines. This will reduce dependency on other cities and attract big healthcare groups of the country to set up their hospitals in the city or its periphery, said a professor of NISER.The Bagchi-Sri Shankara Cancer Centre and Research Institute in Bhubaneswar, started in 2024, also provides advanced cancer care.In the twin city of Cuttack, redevelopment of SCB Medical College and Hospital to AIIMS+ facility will cater to future healthcare demands.In 2026-27 budget, chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi had announced that Odisha will add 5,000 more indoor patient beds, along with 1,000 advanced ICU beds (with ventilators and centralised monitoring) and 500 high-dependency units in coming days. The plan also includes sanctioning specialist doctors, nurses and technicians.For critical care, the state will also procure biomedical equipment, and add new dialysis units, Majhi had said in his budget speech.Under Mukhya Mantri Swasthya Seva Mission, govt earmarked Rs 5,008 crore for expanding and modernising health infrastructure.
