Naveen Inaugurates COVID Hospital In Puri; Operational Expenses To Be Borne By CMRF

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday inaugurated a 150-bed District COVID hospital at Puri’s Jagannath Medical College on virtual platform.

The facility, built in collaboration with Bhubaneswar’s SUM hospital, has 90 general oxygen beds, 40 HDU and 20 ICU beds. It is also equipped with a high-quality laboratory and diagnostics facility.

The chief minister said that the hospital will be helpful in providing better medical care to critical COVID-19 patients of the district and they won’t have to look for hospitals in Bhubaneswar or Cuttack.

The entire operational expenditure of the COVID hospital will be borne by Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF), the CM announced. He added that all the beds have been connected with oxygen pipeline, and oxygen beds will be increased, if required.

Thanking the Institute of Medical Sciences & SUM Hospital Bhubaneswar for coming forward to team up with the State government to set up this COVID facility, Naveen said that this is a very challenging time for everyone in the country.

“This pandemic has created a huge humanitarian crisis. It’s a threat to our lives, our health, and our general well-being,” he added.

“Last year during the first wave, despite the economic impact, we contained the virus with greater success. This year, we have so far been largely able to contain the second wave. The recovery rate is also improving,” he stated.

“We have a robust COVID infrastructure and are working to improve it further. The government is making every possible effort to provide best treatment facilities and save precious lives,” he said.

Appreciating the people of Odisha for their cooperation in the fight against COVID-19, the CM appealed to them to follow all COVID norms to beat the pandemic.

Health Minister Naba Das, School & Mass Education Minister Sameer Ranjan Das and Sports & YS Minister Tushar Kanti Behera thanked Naveen for the COVID hospital in Puri.

The virtual function was also attended by Deputy Chairman of State Planning Board Sanjay Das Burma, Puri MP Pinaki Mishra, WODC Chairman Asit Tripathy, Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra and ACS Health PK Mohapatra.