Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College & Hospital (SLNMCH), located at Janu Guda (Pujariput), Koraput, Odisha, is a prestigious Government medical college established in 2017. Named after the legendary freedom fighter Saheed Laxman Nayak — a hero of the Indian independence movement who was martyred in 1943 — the college was founded with a profound commitment to serve the most underserved tribal populations of southern Odisha. It is the 4th Government Medical College in Odisha and holds the distinction of being the first medical college in the KBK (Koraput–Balangir–Kalahandi) region — an area historically identified as one of India's most economically and developmentally challenged zones. SLNMCH is affiliated with the Odisha University of Health Sciences (OUHS), Bhubaneswar (previously Berhampur University) and recognised by the National Medical Commission (NMC). The college was established with the objective of providing quality medical education and healthcare services in the deeply tribal and remote districts of southern Odisha. The region has a predominantly Kondh, Gadaba, and other Adivasi tribal population, and the college's establishment directly addresses the acute shortage of doctors in the KBK belt. History of the Hospital: The hospital associated with SLNMCH has a rich history dating back to 1908, when it was originally established as a dispensary in an old building in Koraput town. It underwent its first major transformation in 1937, becoming a Local Fund Hospital with 47 beds. In 2004, it was shifted to its current building, expanding capacity to 188 functional beds. Since the establishment of the medical college in 2017, the hospital has been significantly expanded and upgraded. In 2024–25, a newly inaugurated 650-bed teaching hospital further elevated SLNMCH's stature as the healthcare hub of southern Odisha. Campus & Infrastructure: The SLNMCH campus spreads over 52 acres — one of the largest campuses among Odisha government medical colleges — at Janu Guda (Pujariput), Koraput. The campus is approximately 1 km from the Koraput Bus Stand and 4 km from Koraput Railway Station on the East Coast Railway. The campus houses the college, administrative office, and hostel building within a well-integrated layout. Infrastructure includes spacious smart classrooms, lecture halls, examination halls, demonstration rooms, clinical laboratories with specimen museums, an auditorium, and a digital library. The library has a large collection of medical books with subscriptions to Indian and foreign journals and separate reading spaces for students and faculty. Teaching Hospital: The newly expanded 650-bed teaching hospital provides comprehensive healthcare to the tribal communities of Koraput and surrounding KBK districts. It maintains 20-bedded ICU facilities and offers 24x7 emergency and trauma care. Departments include General Medicine, General Surgery, Paediatrics, OBG, Orthopaedics, Ophthalmology, ENT, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Anaesthesiology, Radiology, Pulmonary Medicine, Community Medicine, Forensic Medicine, Pathology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Pharmacology. The hospital is a major referral centre for the tribal belt of southern Odisha and handles a very diverse case mix including malnutrition, fluorosis, tribal fevers, snake envenomation, and rare genetic conditions endemic to the region. Location & Connectivity: Koraput city is approximately 220 km from Rajahmundry Airport (Andhra Pradesh) — the nearest operational airport. Koraput Railway Station is approximately 4 km from the college and is on the Kirandul–Jagdalpur East Coast Railway branch line, connecting it to Visakhapatnam, Rayagada, and other towns. National Highway 26 passes through Koraput providing road connectivity to Jeypore (40 km) and Jagdalpur (110 km, Chhattisgarh). Bhubaneswar is approximately 370 km by road. In summary, SLNMCH Koraput is a socially significant government medical institution serving the most underserved tribal communities in India, with a 650-bed teaching hospital, 52-acre campus, affordable fees (₹38,256/year), and a powerful legacy connected to freedom fighter Saheed Laxman Nayak. It is the only government medical college in the entire KBK region — making it a critical institution for healthcare delivery and medical education in this historically disadvantaged area.