Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today reviewed the COVID-19 situation in the state and advised officials to give focus on several areas for effective management.
Addressing the Chief Secretary, DG of Police, Senior Officials, Collectors, and SPs, the Odisha CM said: “Many districts in Odisha have witnessed a huge rise in the COVID cases in the last one month. However, with the hard work of all the COVID warriors and the cooperation of the people of our State, we have been able to manage the situation, but the challenge is huge and the battle is long.”
Naveen said: “To further slow down the infection rate, we have imposed lockdown for two weeks. So far, the lockdown enforcement has been going on well, however, there is still scope for improvement in some places.
Our successful model of disaster management is based on community involvement and that is the sustainable way to face a pandemic as well.”
“Involve local communities and various associations in urban areas and PRIs in rural areas to effectively reach out to people,” he added.
“Odisha Government is one of the very few Governments that is providing testing to treatment, food, accommodation, medicines everything free of cost to the people. This has helped people cutting across economic strata especially the poor to fearlessly avail themselves treatment in the best facilities. It’s a huge resource allocation for the government and I would like each one of you to ensure quality in services to the people,” said the Chief Minister, and added that feedback is being taken from patients under the Mo Sarkar initiative and will be continued.
The Odisha CM also advised the officials to give focus on the following areas:
- Fire safety and medical Oxygen logistics should be a top priority for district teams. This should be monitored round the clock.
- Testing Tracing and containment should continue in full swing with special focus on vulnerable areas.
- Take direct feedback from doctors who are manning the ICUs and HDUs and act on their suggestions.
- Vaccination program will be a top priority and foolproof arrangements should be made. Take care of elderly, women, and other vulnerable sections in the vaccination drive. We are trying our best to mobilse adequate vaccines at the earliest possible time.
- Keep a close watch on private hospitals treating covid patients. They must charge within the ceiling fixed by the government. In case of any lapses, strict action should be taken against the hospital management.
- Helplines in Covid hospitals should be strengthened and families must be informed of the patient status regularly.
- Use CMRF funds to help people in distress during this difficult time.
“Vaccination will be our main strategy to control the pandemic in future and bring back normalcy in the State. Till then we have to be extremely cautious,” said Naveen.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik once again appealed to the people of Odisha to wear masks, wash hands regularly, maintain social distance and stay at home unless it’s absolutely necessary to go out. He further urged all to follow the Lockdown restrictions and cooperate with the administration.
