Dr Manash Ranjan Sahoo takes charge as Vice Chancellor of Odisha University of Health Sciences

Dr Sahoo, currently serving as the Professor and Head of the Department of General Surgery at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhubaneswar, will assume his new role for a term of four years or until he attains the age of 70, as stipulated under subsection (6) of section 9 of the OUHS Act, 2021, or until further orders, whichever comes first.  

Dr Sahoo succeeded Datteswar Hota, who was the inaugural Vice-Chancellor of OUHS. Hota's term was limited to one year. The Odisha University of Health Sciences was inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik last March on the birth anniversary of Biju Patnaik, reports The New Indian Express.    

The Governor’s office, in a notification issued on Monday, confirmed Dr Sahoo’s appointment, highlighting his extensive background in medical education and surgery. Dr Sahoo completed his MBBS and MS from SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, followed by a fellowship in surgical gastroenterology from Sri Ram Chandra Medical College and Research Institute, Chennai.

With over 26 years of teaching experience and six years as a professor, Dr Sahoo also served as the Chairman of the Medical Board at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. He also has FIAGES and FMAS degrees to his credit.      

Dr Sahoo was instrumental in starting many new advanced Laparoscopic Surgeries in this part of the country many of which were done for the first time in Odisha. Dr Sahoo has trained nearly 150 Surgeons from across the country and SAARC countries in the art of Laparoscopic Surgery, currently at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.

Dr Sahoo is heading the advanced laparoscopic surgery training centre and is the Vice President of East in the Association of Minimal Access Surgeons of India and Treasurer of the Indian Association of Surgical Gastroenterology and a sitting member in some international laparoscopic surgical associations. He has authored one book chapter in an atlas and has 55 published indexed articles many of which are on laparoscopic surgery.

The university aims to consolidate and enhance the quality of health education across the state by encompassing various medical colleges offering undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in fields such as modern medicine, dental science, ayurveda, homoeopathy, nursing, pharmacy, physiotherapy, and other allied health sciences. These institutions were brought under the university’s jurisdiction starting from the 2023-24 academic session, reports the Daily.    

The establishment of OUHS marks a significant step in the state’s efforts to streamline and improve health education. Dr Sahoo’s vast experience and leadership in the medical field are expected to drive the university toward achieving its goals of excellence in health sciences education and research.    

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