Bhubaneswar: The Utkarsh Odisha: Make in Odisha Conclave 2025 witnessed a landmark sectoral session on Healthcare, Pharma, and Biotechnology, themed “Universal Health and Wellness in Odisha.” The session brought together key policymakers, industry leaders, and investors to explore the state’s growing potential in medical research, healthcare infrastructure, and biotech innovation.
Speaking at the event, Science & Technology Minister Krushna Chandra Patra emphasized Odisha’s commitment to fostering biotechnology-driven innovation to uplift the socio-economic conditions of its people. He highlighted the Odisha Biotechnology Policy 2024, which prioritizes both fundamental and applied research while promoting collaboration between industry, academia, and society.
Health & Family Welfare, PA, E & IT Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling invited private sector players to collaborate with Odisha in realizing the vision of Utkarsh Odisha 2036, stressing that the state is rapidly emerging as a hub of innovation and investment. He underlined Odisha’s focus on expanding super-specialty hospitals, multi-disciplinary healthcare facilities, and indigenous production of affordable medicines, vaccines, and medical devices.
A key highlight of the session was the investment commitment of ₹4,349 crore from nine leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, reinforcing Odisha’s position as a preferred destination for healthcare and biotech investments. The major investments include ₹1,200 crore by Indo European Heart Hospitals and Research Institute Pvt Ltd, ₹1,000 crore by SUM Odisha, and ₹600 crore by Indo European Research and Healthcare Pvt Ltd.
During a panel discussion on “Skilling in the Health Sector for Utkarsh Odisha 2036,” experts including Dr. Manash Ranjan Sahoo, Vice-Chancellor of Odisha University of Health Sciences, Prof. Saroj Kanta Mishra, Dr. Amulya Panda, and Prof. Arun Kumar Das deliberated on strategies to position Odisha as a leader in healthcare, pharma, and biotech.
Odisha’s government is making significant strides in medical education, with 12 functional medical colleges and two more in the pipeline. Additionally, eight nursing colleges are operational, with seven more planned. Odisha also stands out as one of the few states offering dialysis services at sub-divisional hospitals and populous Community Health Centres (CHCs). In a major boost to the healthcare workforce, plans are underway to recruit 5,000 doctors and 1,200 nurses across the state.