Odisha Health Minister Orders Strict Inspection of Private Nursing Colleges Across State

The Odisha government has ordered a statewide inspection of private nursing colleges, signalling a tougher regulatory approach to ensure educational quality, student welfare and compliance with prescribed norms.

Chairing a high-level review meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Mukesh Mahaling directed all District Collectors to carry out comprehensive and impartial inspections of every private nursing educational institution in their respective districts. The exercise will be conducted by specially constituted district-level inspection teams, with District Fire Officers included to assess fire safety measures and infrastructure compliance.  

The minister said the state would not compromise on the standards of nursing education or the safety of students. He stressed that institutions must strictly adhere to the prescribed academic and infrastructural requirements, making it clear that any irregularities would invite stringent action.

District Collectors have been instructed to complete the inspections and submit detailed reports to the Directorate of Medical Education and Training (DMET), Odisha, by the end of July. The government has warned that institutions found violating the applicable norms will face strict punitive measures.  

During the meeting, Dr Mahaling also reviewed the progress of the Stop Diarrhoea Campaign, which is being jointly implemented by the Health and Family Welfare Department and the Panchayati Raj Department from June 16 to July 31. The campaign has assumed greater significance as Odisha prepares for the seasonal rise in waterborne and vector-borne diseases during the monsoon and the Rath Yatra period.  

As part of the initiative, authorities are undertaking purification of drinking water sources across the state. At the community level, ASHA workers and other frontline health personnel are visiting households to distribute Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) packets and Zinc tablets while educating residents about safe drinking water practices and the early identification and treatment of diarrhoea, dengue, chikungunya and malaria.  

The review meeting was attended by Health and Family Welfare Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Aswathy S., along with departmental directors and senior officials. District Collectors and Chief District Medical and Public Health Officers from across Odisha joined the deliberations through virtual mode.