“A Doctor’s Smile and Reassurance Truly Heal the Patient,” says Dharmendra Pradhan
Sambalpur: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated several state-of-the-art healthcare facilities at the Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR), Burla, also known as Bhimsar, on Saturday. Emphasising the human touch in healthcare, the Union Minister said that while modern technology helps in accurate diagnosis, a doctor’s smile and reassurance play a crucial role in a patient’s recovery.
Shri Pradhan inaugurated the first 3 Tesla MRI room at Bhimsar along with an 80-bed Special Neonatal Care Unit (NNCU) building. He said the advanced MRI facility will enable detailed examinations and accurate diagnoses, while the Neonatal Care Unit will significantly help reduce infant mortality by providing specialised emergency care to newborns.
The Union Minister stated that the introduction of modern medical technologies would bring qualitative changes in Odisha’s healthcare system. He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring quality healthcare services for the general public, particularly for economically weaker sections.
Addressing the gathering during the cultural mega event Lumivox-2025 organised at Bhimsar, Shri Pradhan described the institution as a centre of service, knowledge and compassion. He said Bhimsar has long served as a major treatment hub for the poor and underprivileged. While modern machines assist in diagnosis, he stressed that preventive healthcare should be the primary focus rather than treatment alone.
Shri Pradhan also thanked the Odisha government for announcing a special development package of around ₹1,600 crore for Bhimsar. He informed that a new governance model, recruitment policy and examination system would soon be implemented through autonomous mechanisms to improve institutional efficiency.
He further said that issues related to accommodation for nursing students, paramedical staff and other employees would be addressed, and the recruitment process would be expedited. Expressing confidence in the institution’s future, Shri Pradhan said that students graduating from Bhimsar would play a leading role in global medical practice, contributing to the vision of a developed Odisha and a developed India.
