Twelfth super-speciality Sankar Eye Hospital in the country was inaugurated at Samarjhola on Saturday by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik during his visit to Ganjam.
Mr Patnaik also laid foundation stone for Rs.119-crore worth Ghatakeswar multipurpose project to be taken up near Kankia on Ghadka river. The project is envisioned to provide irrigation to 500 hectares of land of eight villages and drinking water to Berhampur.
The 100-bedded Sankar eye hospital at Samarjhola is located in the Hinjli Assembly segment represented by Mr. Patnaik. This super speciality eye hospital has been established with financial grant of Rs.42.3 crore from Tata Steel. The dignitaries present during the inauguration ceremony included Kanchi Sankaracharya Swami Jayendra Saraswati, MD of Tata Steel for India and south-east Asia T.V. Narendran, State Health Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, State Higher Education Minister Pradeep Panigrahy, State Forest and Environment Minister Bikram Keshari Arukh and MLAs of Ganjam district.
Sankara Eye Hospital of Tamil Nadu, which has an outstanding record of providing quality eye care for over two decades through its other 11 hospitals across the nation, will run this hospital. This new hospital will provide modern eye care services to the people of Ganjam and nearby districts of Odisha. The complex is totally green, environment-friendly, energy and water self-sufficient. The complex would get 150 kW of solar power generated through solar panels fixed on roofs of buildings of the complex and its water needs would be met from rainwater harvesting and recycling of used water. Mr Patnaik in his speech expressed his pleasure over the fact that this modern and large hospital complex could be established in a span of just one year.
Swami Jayendra Saraswati in his address to the gathering stressed upon need for eyes both for physical and spiritual aspects of life. Mr Ravindran reiterated Tata Steel’s commitment towards the community and said the company will continue to strengthen its relationship with Odisha through such initiatives. According to Tat Steel sources, the company also plans to establish a 500-bed multi-specialty hospital at Gopalpur of Ganjam district.
Mr. Patnaik also laid foundation stones and inaugurated some other developmental projects in Shergarh, Hinjli, and Rangeilunda blocks during his visit.
