70th Anniversary of S.C.B. Medical College, Cuttack

The history of S.C.B. Medical College, Cuttack dates back to the Maratha rule when a first-aid centre was started at the current location to treat sick pilgrims enroute to Puri & back during the famous Car Festival (Ratha Yatra) of Lord Jagannath.

In 1875, the Odisha Medical School was born under the tutelage of the British which subsequently became the Odisha Medical College in 1944. It was renamed as Sri Rama Chandra Bhanja Medical College in 1951 to honour the Maharaja of the then princely state of Mayurbhanj for his handsome financial contribution of Rupees One lakh and thirty thousand, a huge amount during those times. The first batch of 22 MBBS students joined in 1944 and passed in 1948, and MCI recognised the course in 1952 with retrospective effect. Post graduate courses, MD/MS was started in 1960 and post-doctoral training in Cardiology and Neurosurgery from 1981. Since then many disciplines have started post-doctoral courses. Very few medical colleges in the country can boast of this long tradition and history.

The services provided to the patients at no cost are unbelievable. It has a bed capacity of 2200, and the mega expansion plan in the offing will increase it to a staggering 5000 beds. The new complex is expected to be completed by early part of 2024 with a budget provision of 3500 crores. It is being constructed under the supervision of the government of Odisha and it will be state-of-the-art in all domains that few medical colleges in the world can boast having a world class health care facility.

The COVID pandemic was a challenge that the institution accepted. The institution has created 4 dedicated, 600 bedded COVID Units, within the premises, with dedicated facilities for dialysis, OT for surgery, Paediatric unit and an Obstetrics and Gynaecology wing for pregnant mothers and 140 ICU beds. Over 10,000 patients have been treated since its inception.

S.C.B. Medical College is not just a heritage institution that has blended with modernity. It is a sacred place for thousands of students who wish to excel, and millions of patients-mostly poor, under-privileged, and the needy, who cannot afford the high cost of modern medicine. It is indeed an institution that every citizen of the country should be proud of.

Department of Posts is pleased to issue a Commemorative Postage Stamp on S.C.B. Medical College & Hospital on its platinum Jubilee Celebrations.