Narayana Hrudayalaya, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Central University of Orissa focusing on medical education, clinical expertise and research. The MoU was signed for a period of five years and may be extended further as may be agreed upon by both the parties.

Central University of Orissa, located in the backward region of Koraput of the state and is home to large tribal and poor population.

Professor Surabhi Banerjee, vice-chancellor of CUO and Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, chairman and senior consultant Cardiac Surgeon of Narayana Hrudayalaya signed the agreement in an effort to create a synergy between two the institutions to improve healthcare.

Both Institutions would now be engaged in offering healthcare training to the students to strengthen country’s clinical and scientific potential. It would help to create opportunities for medical professionals, researchers and scientists to learn new techniques and provide better healthcare facilities in their respective regions. There would also be exchange of information and students, clinicians and scientists between the partners.

The partnership is aimed at achieving a quantum change in the quality of information and material available to students, clinicians and scientists at all levels. Various technologies for healthcare and skill development programmes would be deployed to update students through training and continuous education.

Dr Shetty said, “The partnership will help the students of the Central University of Orissa to be associated with the cardiac major which houses the world’s largest heart hospital for children. The focus on other specialities will provide the much needed exposure to the candidates. With this association, our hospital will set a new benchmark for our medical professionals.”

“We are certain this association will help us address the many healthcare related issues in the region. The excellence of Narayana Hrudayalaya will immensely benefit our students, faculty and researchers and scientists who will get world class training in many aspects of healthcare. Koraput, part of the KBK region (Koraput-Bolangir-Kalahandi) has historically been impoverished and underdeveloped because of its inaccessibility and predominance of tribal population whose primary means of livelihood is agriculture. Since the land is not very fertile, tribals struggle for subsistence and the hilly terrains make it difficult for them to navigate for other means. For variety of reasons, including the recent turmoil, Koraput has been portrayed with a grim view. Now the CUO has given a new ray of hope for the people in this region,” stated professor Banerjee.