The evolution of this institution dates back to the beginning of the 19th century. It took its birth as a small dispensary as First Aid Centre in the premises of the present medical college during the days of Maratha rule in the later half of the eighteenth century. The sole purpose of that dispensary was to render whatever little medical assistance was available and feasible to the sick pilgrims en route to and from Puri, especially during the “Car Festival” of Lord Jagannath.
This dispensary continued to function admirably till the British occupation of Orissa in 1803. The British rulers, in due course of time, realized the strategic importance of this dispensary at Cuttack and converted it into a small hospital. For smooth management of the Hospital, they made provisions for pumping adequate money from the “Annachhatra Fund“.
In 1875, the Orissa Medical School was born and saw the light of the day by the effort of a large-hearted Briton, Dr Stewart, the then Civil Surgeon of Cuttack as its first Principal. He mooted out the idea of starting a medical school, utilizing this hospital as an infrastructural nucleus. In this endeavor, he received the kind support and sincere patronage of the then Lt. Governor, Sir Richard Temple and the Divisional Commissioner, Mr T.E Ravenshaw.
