Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on October 28 announced a cash award for doctors and healthcare professionals employed in government-run facilities in the state.

Doctors and paramedical staff will get rewards for their exemplary services under Mo Sarkar initiative. Patnaik announced cash reward of Rs 10 lakh for 10 doctors and Rs 5 lakh for paramedical staff for their dedication towards services. The doctors and other paramedical staff will be selected by a committee of expert doctors. They will be awarded by the Chief Minister at a state-level programme every year.

Similarly, doctors and other staff having National Quality Accreditation Standard Certification will be awarded a month's salary as a bonus in the next fiscal for excellence in providing quality health care facilities. The Chief Minister also announced infrastructure development initiatives for four district headquarters hospitals and Rourkela Government Hospital.

The government said that infrastructure gaps will be met from District Mineral Fund for district headquarters hospitals of Sundargarh, Keonjhar, and Mayurbhanj. The bed strength of Rourkela Government Hospital will be increased to 400 beds.