Bhubaneswar: The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has granted permission to five district headquarters hospitals (DHH) in Odisha to offer diploma in paediatrics.

Similarly, two DHHs in the state has been permitted to offer diploma in obstetrics and gynaecology, revealed the Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) Department on Monday.

The NBEMS has allowed DHHs at Jagatsinghpur, Jeypore, Phulbani, Dhenkanal and Rayagada to offer diploma in paediatrics. Each DHH will have two seats, taking the total number of paediatrics diploma seats to 10, said the H&FW Department.

The DHHs at Jagatsinghpur and Angul have received NBEMS recognition to offer diploma in obstetrics and gynaecology. The Jagatsinghpur DHH will have two seats, while Angul will have one seat, added the department.

In addition to this, Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital (SLNMCH) in Koraput has received the NBEMS recognition for four Diplomate of National Board (DNB) seats in Anaesthesiology and General Medicine.

Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling said the state government is taking the necessary steps to develop state-run healthcare institutions into centres of quality medical education and training.

“The NBEMS recognition granted to healthcare institutions in Jagatsinghpur, Koraput, Kandhamal, Dhenkanal, Rayagada and Angul is an encouraging step towards creating more number of trained healthcare professionals in Odisha,” he said.

The Health Minister further stated that the diploma courses in paediatrics and obstetrics and gynaecology would play an important role in taking advanced and quality healthcare closer to the people, particularly in underserved regions.