Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today inaugurated various health infrastructures and laid the foundation stones for liquid medical oxygen (LMO) and pressure swing adsorption (PSA) plants in eight districts of the state through video conferencing. The districts are Jharsuguda, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Sonepur, Nayagarh, Sundargarh, and Mayurbhanj.
The state government aims for oxygen production in 20 PSA plants in the state. The foundation stone of 7 PSA plants was laid on June 9 and today 8 more were laid. The 20 PSA plants can produce up to 24,000 liters of medical oxygen per minute.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister said that the COVID situation has improved significantly in the state. “We have to be more careful,” he said and advised all to stay prepared for the possible third wave of COVID-19. The chief minister also urged the public to wear a double mask and get vaccinated against COVID-19.
The chief minister said the fight against COVID had been going on for more than a year. In the second wave, which began in April, declining oxygen levels were a major problem. “Steps are being taken to strengthen the oxygen supply system in all our hospitals,” he said.
“Every life is precious – it is the basis of all our disaster management system” said Naveen. The Chief Minister also thanked all the doctors, health workers, Asha and Anganwadi workers working at the forefront for their services and sacrifices. The Chief Minister was confident that with the cooperation of all, Odisha as well as the entire human race would be able to win the fight against COVID-19.
State Ministers including Naba Das, Niranjan Pujari, Pratap Jena, Sameer Dash, Raghunandan Das, Rajya Sabha MPs, and MLAs from various districts attended the virtual conference and lauded the Chief Minister’s visionary leadership in the fight against COVID-19.
Development Commissioner PK Jena, Industries Dept Principal Secretary Hemant Sharma, Director of National Health Mission Shalini Pandit, and District Collectors from different districts attended the event.
Secretary  to Odisha Chief Minister & 5T V.K. Pandian coordinated the program.
Chief Secretary Suresh Mohapatra, Additional Chief Secretary( Health) PK Mohapatra delivered the welcome address and Mrs. Yamini Sadangi, Managing Director of Odisha State Medical Corporation proposed the vote of thanks.
