Odisha CM Directs To Ramp Up Beds With Oxygen Support System In Hospitals

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday directed to ramp up beds with oxygen system considering the increasing COVID-19 cases in the state.

Presiding a review meeting on COVID-19 situation, the chief minister said the second wave of COVID-19 infections has seriously affected many states. The health system in some cities is under severe strain due to rapid increase in the positive patients.

“Due to our alert preparedness and pro-active measures, we have been able to manage the situation to a large extent despite increase in the cases in the last few days. However, we need to be prepared for the worst-case scenario and ensure that every patient is treated with dignity and put in best efforts to save precious lives,” he said.

The chief minister directed to take the following steps on priority:

1. Increase in the number of beds in Covid Hospitals and Covid Care Centres across the state. Special focus should be on providing maximum possible number of beds with oxygen support. The system has to work on war-footing to ensure this within committed timelines.

2. Oxygen supply situation has to be closely monitored and ensures that all related accessories at the hospital level are available on priority.
3. Ensure buffer stock to tackle higher demand in coming weeks.
4. IEC campaign has to be further ramped up. People have to be educated on the dangerous spread of the second wave and the need for active adherence to Covid protocols. The community, Mission shakti group and PRI members should be actively involved in the process.
5. The enforcement activities have to be continued to be implemented strictly across the state.
6. With lockdowns in seriously affected states, the Collectors should be prepared for the return of the migrants. The protocols followed earlier should be reactivated by the Collectors immediately based on the existing database.

7. The quarantine norm and testing should be ensured for all the returnees from other states. Senior officers should be assigned as observers and other responsbilities to put their best efforts like last year.

Seeking people’s cooperation in COvid management, Naveen said, “We are facing grave danger and unless the people cooperate and act responsibly, it will be very difficult to tackle the situation. It is the interest of state and people that we should manage the covid situation without “lockdown”. Wearing mask and maintaining social distance will help us in this.”

Chief secretary SC Mohapatra, SRC Pradeep Jena, additional chief secretary, Health PK Mohpatra and collectors were also present. Secretary to CM 5T VK Pandian coordinated the meeting.