SCB-MCH Cuttack: A Legacy of Healing and Medical Excellence

Introduction

Nestled in the historic city of Cuttack, Odisha, Srirama Chandra Bhanja Medical College and Hospital (SCB-MCH) stands as a beacon of medical education and healthcare since 1944. This government institution has evolved from modest beginnings into a premier medical hub, offering comprehensive training, cutting-edge research opportunities, and top-tier patient care. In this in-depth article—spanning establishment, courses, facilities, academic prowess, and more—we explore SCB-MCH in all its facets, linking only to the official website where needed for authenticity.

1. Establishment & Historical Journey

• Established: June 1, 1944. Originally known as Orissa Medical College, evolving from the Orissa Medical School (est. 1875) (Wikipedia, scbmch.in).
• Early Roots: Began as a First Aid Centre during Maratha rule, transformed into a dispensary and later a hospital under British rule. In 1875, Dr. William Day Stewart initiated the Orissa Medical School, affiliated to Bihar and Orissa Medical Examination Board (Wikipedia, scbmch.in).
• College Status: Elevated to college status in 1944; first MBBS batch appeared in 1948; recognized by Medical Council of India in 1952 (retrospective) (Wikipedia, scbmch.in).
• Renaming: In 1951, renamed in honor of Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanj Deo following his patronage; additional patronage came from Maharaja Vikram Deo Verma (scbmch.in).

2. Affiliations & Recognition

• Affiliation: Odisha University of Health Sciences (formerly under Utkal University) (Wikipedia).
• Regulatory Approval: Recognized by National Medical Commission (NMC) (Wikipedia).
• Status: One of Eastern India’s oldest and most esteemed medical colleges (Wikipedia, scbmchalumni.in).

3. Courses Offered

• Undergraduate (MBBS): 250 seats per year with a 4.5-year course plus 1-year internship; 85% state quota, 15% All India Quota via NEET-UG (Wikipedia).
• Dental (BDS): 63 seats annually via the institute’s dental wing (Wikipedia).
• Postgraduate (MD/MS): Approximately 229 seats/year across 21 broad specialties (Wikipedia, scbmch.in).
• Super-specialty (DM/MCh): Around 42 seats/year in subjects like Cardiology, Neurosurgery, Urology, Pediatric Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Gastroenterology, and Others (Wikipedia, scbmch.in).
• Additional Programs: PG diplomas, dental postgraduate, and various certificates; allied wings for Nursing, Pharmacy, DMLT present (scbmch.in).

4. Facilities & Campus Life

Campus & Infrastructure

• Located in central Cuttack, sprawling over ~87 acres (some sources note 101 acres) (Wikipedia, scbmch.in).
• Comprehensive hospital setup—OPD, IPD, ICUs, diagnostic labs, super-specialty departments, trauma center, regional diagnostic center (scbmch.in, Wikipedia).
• Offers advanced healthcare services like bone marrow and renal transplants, ECMO, liver transplantation, next-generation sequencing facilities (scbmch.in).
• Telemedicine collaboration with ISRO & SGPGI, Lucknow, facilitating distant medical education and consultation (scbmch.in).

Student Amenities

• Multiple hostels: for undergraduate men (Old & New), women, postgraduate men & women, nursing students, house staff (Wikipedia).
• Student unions: UG Students’ Union and Junior Doctor’s Association actively engage in campus culture (Wikipedia).
• Cultural & sports facilities: Annual festival “Synapse,” clubs (dramatics, fine arts), sports (cricket, basketball, badminton, swimming) (Wikipedia).
• Central Library: Offers 21,878 books, e-resources (2000 e-books, 11,000 e-journals), 50 e-stations, and reading capacity for 414 students; state-level referral library (Wikipedia).

5. Academic Excellence

• Strong clinical exposure due to high patient load; recognized for teaching, training, research, and care (scbmch.in, scbmchalumni.in).
• Ranked 44th in India among medical colleges by NIRF, 2022 (Wikipedia).

6. Career Development & Placement

• Medical career progression typical: internships, government postings; almost all graduates placed as medical officers or pursue PG studies (Shiksha).
• Alumni widely respected, working globally (RTI Odisha).

7. Research & Academic Activities

• Historical contributions: first aid centre, early dispensary.
• Ongoing research: molecular labs, telemedicine, trauma center, super-specialty diagnostics (scbmch.in).
• Organized programs: ICMR, family welfare training, geriatric OPD, postpartum program (Wikipedia).

8. Scholarships & Fellowships

• State government-backed scholarships available (Shiksha).
• PG stipends and funded programs via national/state schemes implicitly support students (scbmch.in).

9. Notable Alumni

• Alumni include global medical professionals whose roots trace back to SCB-MCH; the alumni body is extensive (RTI Odisha).

10. Reputation, Rankings & Awards

• Premier medical institution of Odisha and Eastern India (Wikipedia, scbmchalumni.in).
• NIRF rank: 44th nationally in medical category (2022) (Wikipedia).

11. Address & Contact Details

** Official Website**: https://scbmch.in/ (Wikipedia, scbmch.in)
Location: Mangalabag / Ranihat area, Cuttack, Odisha, India (Wikipedia).
(For contact numbers or email, please refer directly to the official website.)

12. FAQs

Q1. When was SCB Medical College established?
Established June 1, 1944, evolved from Orissa Medical School (1875) (Wikipedia, scbmch.in).

Q2. What courses are offered?
Courses include MBBS, BDS, MD/MS, DM/MCh, PG diplomas, and allied programs like Nursing, Pharmacy, DMLT (Wikipedia, scbmch.in, Shiksha).

Q3. How many MBBS seats?
250 seats/year (85% state quota, 15% All India Quota via NEET-UG) (Wikipedia).

Q4. What facilities are available?
Hostels, library, sports, telemedicine, trauma center, diagnostic and transplant services (scbmch.in, Wikipedia).

Q5. What is the affiliation?
Affiliated with Odisha University of Health Sciences; recognized by NMC (Wikipedia).

Q6. What is its rank?
Ranked 44th in India (NIRF 2022) (Wikipedia).

Q7. Research focus?
Includes molecular labs, transplantation, telemedicine, trauma, and government-backed health programs (scbmch.in, Wikipedia).

Q8. Where to find more information?
Visit the official website: https://scbmch.in/ (Wikipedia).

Conclusion

Srirama Chandra Bhanja Medical College and Hospital is more than a medical institution—it’s a living legacy. With its roots in the 19th century, a reputation built over decades, and a future that embraces technology, research, and social health imperatives, SCB-MCH embodies the spirit of progressive medical education in India. For prospective students, healthcare professionals, or medical historians, this institution offers a compelling story of endurance, excellence, and service.

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