Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today inaugurated the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER) at Capital Hospital in the city here.

The institute will play a significant role in providing quality education and expert healthcare to people in the capital city and Odisha, said the Chief Minister.

Studies in postgraduate courses have started in six disciplines at the PGIMER. The disciplines are General Surgery, Medicine, Orthopedics, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pulmonary Medicine, and Pediatrics. Altogether 24 students have taken admission for postgraduate courses at the institute for the current academic year, sources said.

The Chief Minister interacted with a few students of the institute. Students from Uttar Pradesh, Kerala and Sikkim expressed happiness over the facilities at the new institute. They also appreciated provisions and mechanisms in the state for providing quality healthcare to people, said an official of the Health department.

The Chief Minister advised the students to work for the welfare of the people as per the 5T principles of the state government.

Health & Family Welfare department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Shalini Pandit briefed the Chief Minister on the facilities at the institute.

Health Minister Naba Kisore Das, Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra among others were present on the occasion.