Argus Odisha Health Connect Season 5: Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling Calls for Healthcare Reforms

Bhubaneswar, Sept 19: The Argus Odisha Health Connect, Season 5 has kicked off in Bhubaneswar, bringing together policymakers, doctors, healthcare experts and changemakers for a day of meaningful discussions on the future of healthcare in Odisha.

Odisha Health Minister Dr Mukesh Mahaling attended the programme as the chief guest and appreciated Argus News for organising the initiative. He highlighted the importance of health education, healthcare delivery, public awareness and improved health facilities across the state.

Speaking at 'Argus Odisha Health Connect Season 5', Dr Mukesh Mahaling called upon people and stakeholders to share their suggestions for further strengthening Odisha’s healthcare system.

The Health Minister said the state government has been working towards transforming the healthcare sector and has made special provisions for health in the state budget. He also highlighted initiatives aimed at expanding Ayurvedic healthcare services in Odisha. According to the minister, more than 600 new ambulances have been procured to strengthen patient care and emergency medical services. Dr Mahaling further said that maternal and child mortality rates in Odisha have declined, reflecting improvements in healthcare services in the state.

Dr Baidyanath Mishra, Head of Research and Development at Dabur India, also participated in the Odisha Health Connect Season 5 programme and shared his experience and perspectives on traditional medicine. He discussed the role of traditional healthcare practices and highlighted the need to ensure better support and services for healthcare workers who are responsible for delivering medical care to people. The discussion also focused on the growing reach of modern healthcare services in Odisha and the importance of strengthening the overall healthcare ecosystem.

Dr Kamalakanta Tripathy, Joint Secretary at NITI Aayog, also participated in the programme and spoke about the key elements required for a strong healthcare system. He stressed that a robust healthcare system cannot be measured simply by the presence of large hospital buildings. According to him, the availability of adequate numbers of doctors and nurses, along with preparedness before patients reach hospitals, is crucial for an effective healthcare system. He also emphasised the need to work towards building an anaemia-free Odisha and called for greater attention to mental health.

The programme featured discussions across two sessions covering the themes “What is the Status of Healthcare in Odisha?” and “Sugandhara Gunjana.” The sessions brought together different perspectives on healthcare delivery, traditional medicine, health awareness and the challenges and opportunities facing the state’s healthcare sector.

Argus News CEO Prakash Sahu was present at the event. Argus News Editor Sisira Kumar Bhattamisra delivered the welcome address, while Executive Editor Durgashish presented a brief overview of the programme.

The fifth edition of Odisha Health Connect served as a platform for discussions on healthcare development, medical infrastructure, health awareness and the need for continued efforts to make healthcare services more accessible and effective for people across Odisha.