Centurion University sets new benchmark in rural outreach with pioneering ‘Healthcare on Wheels’ initiative

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, MAY 14, 2025

In a bold step toward transforming rural healthcare in Odisha, Centurion University of Technology and Management has launched its pioneering ‘Healthcare on Wheels’ initiative, making history as the first university in the state to roll out a fully equipped mobile medical unit dedicated to underserved and remote communities.

The initiative represents a monumental leap in the University’s ongoing mission to empower rural populations through accessible healthcare solutions. The mobile healthcare vehicle, a state-of-the-art unit outfitted with diagnostic and treatment facilities, is set to traverse the hinterlands of Odisha, offering critical medical services in areas where healthcare infrastructure is either limited or completely absent.

Rooted in the University’s long-standing commitment to community welfare, the ‘Healthcare on Wheels’ program is the natural evolution of Centurion’s extensive outreach over the years. Through regular healthcare camps in remote villages, the institution has already provided eye screenings, distributed corrective eyewear, and delivered preventive health education to thousands across the state.

Dr. Mukti Kanta Mishra, President of Centurion University, emphasized the transformative power of the new initiative, saying, “We are thrilled to take our healthcare mission forward through the ‘Healthcare on Wheels’ initiative. Our years of outreach have shown how transformative accessible healthcare can be. This mobile unit allows us to directly reach communities, offering a wide range of services — from vision care to maternal and child health.”

The project is generously funded by the LIC Golden Jubilee Foundation, whose support has enabled the vehicle to be equipped with modern facilities for vision screening and optical dispensing, general medical consultations, pathological investigations, ECG and EMG testing, as well as comprehensive maternal and child health services. In collaboration with Essilor and other strategic partners, the University is striving to dismantle longstanding barriers to healthcare access in rural regions.

At the launch ceremony, the initiative received strong endorsement from national leadership. Siddhartha Mohanty, CEO and Managing Director of LIC India, lauded the University’s forward-thinking approach. “Centurion University’s initiative is a powerful example of how educational institutions can lead societal transformation. ‘Healthcare on Wheels’ will significantly enhance access to quality care in rural areas. We are proud to support this mission,” he said.

Shrawan Kumar, Zonal Manager, LIC India (Patna), echoed the sentiment, calling the initiative “a thoughtful blend of healthcare, education, and social empowerment.” He commended the University’s emphasis on skill-driven, impact-oriented outreach, and reaffirmed LIC’s pride in partnering with such a visionary project.

The event drew several prominent dignitaries and stakeholders, including Permendra Hari, Zonal Manager, LIC (Patna); Manoj Kumar Panda, Regional Manager – Marketing, East Central Zone (Patna); Dr. Supriya Pattanayak, Vice Chancellor of Centurion University; Dr. Ajay Nayak, Pro Vice Chancellor; Debasish Panda, Comptroller of Finance; Sanjeev Mishra, Senior GM – Projects; and Swagatika Mohapatra, Deputy MD – Social Entrepreneurship Initiatives.

With the launch of ‘Healthcare on Wheels’, Centurion University has further solidified its reputation as a trailblazer in integrating education with grassroots development. By bringing healthcare directly to the doorsteps of those who need it most, the University is not just bridging systemic gaps — it is redefining what it means to be an institution of higher learning with a conscience.