The remaining equipment was delivered in March and personnel employed.  Finally, during the visit of Usthi Foundation founder Kurt Burki in April, the maternity ward was officially opened for business by the District Collector and the District Medical Officer.

A few days later, the first infants were delivered in the Tribal Health Centre.  With this inauguration, the Tribal Health Centre is now officially working within the Odisha State Health System. Experts from the Usthi Hospital and the Bhubaneswar Research Centre monitor and supervise administrative processes, regarding cooperation with the authorities. Integration into the public health system means that operations are now co-financed by the state.

This close association with the State has meant that co-operation with our local partners has had to be redefined.  With two new, young and competent executives carrying responsibility both for the Tribal Health Centre and the Health and Education Project (HEP), we are equipped and open for whatever the future may hold.