Odisha gets 5 more standalone Covid Hospitals

Bhubaneswar, April 20: Five more Government Covid hospitals are now ready to provide dedicated service to Covid 19 patients in the State.  Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik interacted with the doctors and health workers during the opening of these hospitals. Union Steel, Petroleum, Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan,  Union Coal, Mining, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi,  Odisha Health Minister Naba Das joined in the program through video conference also. These five hospitals, opened today are in districts of Sundargarh, Bargarh, Angul, Jagatsinghpur and Nabarangpur, and have bed strength of 825. With this, the State's dedicated Covid hospitals are now functional in 26 districts with a bed capacity of 5000. These Covid 19 hospitals are being set up to strengthen state's preparedness in the fight against Covid 19.  The CM had earlier directed to open at least one dedicated Covid hospitals in each of the 30 districts.  The Government Covid hospitals will provide specialised treatment to the patients free of cost.  Odisha is today a front runner in Covid management in the country by putting in place an early preparedness mechanism with text book precision. Speaking at the opening function of the hospitals, the Chief Minister said that it’s a war we have to win.  He further said that Odisha has established Covid hospitals with 5000 beds in a record time within 30 days.  He appreciated the efforts of the district administrations in successful establishment of these hospitals.  He also appreciated the sacrifices made by Doctors, Health Workers and their family members. He also thanked the Government of India PSUs - NTPC, MCL, IOCL, PPT and Nalco for the support to these hospitals. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan appreciated the efforts made by Odisha in the fight against Covid. He said that Odisha is a leading state in the fight against Covid and has put in place a robust health mechanism.  He expressed confidence that Odisha will be highly successful in containing Covid. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi appreciated the steps taken by the State Government in the fight against Covid 19.  He expressed hope that Odisha and India will certainly come out of the crisis soon.  He informed that the Nalco and MCL employees have contributed Rs.2.5 crore to the Odisha CMRF. While150 bedded Covid hospital at Angul will be managed by SUM hospital Bhubaneswar and supported by MCL, the 200 bedded Covid hospital at Bargarh will be managed by Vikash Multispecialty hospital and supported by IOCL. The 200 beded Covid hospital at Sundergarh  will be managed by District administration  through DMF and with support of NTPC. The 75 bedded Covid hospital at Paradeep will be managed by the District administration with support from Govt of Odisha and Paradeep Port Trust.  The 200 bedded Covid health care centre at Nabarangpur will be managed by district administration and Christian hospital with the support of Nalco.