Over 300 Doctors Volunteer To Run COVID-19 Telemedicine Helpline In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Responding to the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s appeal, more than 300 doctors have already come forward to provide their services voluntarily in this fight against the novel coronavirus by registering themselves at www.bit.ly_IndiaTeleMed, government’s Chief Spokesperson on COVID-19 Subroto Bagchi informed on Tuesday.

To combat COVID-19, the Chief Minister on Monday had announced launch of a dedicated Telemedicine Helpline-14410 to provide medical assistance to potential COVID-19
cases across the state and appealed to doctors to support the cause by rendering voluntary service.

Bagchi further said that 34 COVID-19 hospitals/isolation centres with 5697 bed capacity are being planned for treatment of COVID-19 patients in the state. “Of these, seven
special COVID-19 Hospitals are already functional,” he said.

He further said that people have been directed to cover their mouth and nose with any available form of mask while stepping out of house for any purpose from 7 am on April 9.

“A handkerchief or any other piece of cloth in at least layers can also be used for the purpose. A draft advisory for use of cloth masks is also available in the official
website of the Health & Family Welfare Department (health.odisha.gov.in),” he added.