Train Inmates of Quarantine Centres On COVID-19, Directs Naveen

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has called for training of migrant workers in quarantine centres on coronavirus so that they can emerge as active participants in the exercise to arrest the spread of the pandemic.

In a video conferencing, the Chief Minister directed the departments concerned to introduce a short-term certificate course on COVID-19 management. Besides promoting awareness, it can generate  employment ooportunity, he said.

The Chief Minister said as Odisha will have to brace for a long battle against the deadly virus, active participation of all members of the society has become imperative. The Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) will have to play a major part in this fight, he added.

With the migrant population returning to Ganjam, Balasore, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Jajpur and Balangir swelling by the day, the number of beds in the COVID care centres in these districts needs to be increased, he said.

Naveen also directed the departments concerned to take special care of pregnant and post-natal women, children, physically challenged and the elders.

With the State’s economy badly hit by the lockdown, the Chief Minister told the departments to draw up special plans to provide work under MGNREGS and Mission Shakti to as many people as possible. “The state government will provide more funds to strengthen the rural economy,” he assured.

The Chief Minister directed the Health Department to ensure adequate supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other medical gadgets to the health staff.