Bhubaneswar: Health and Family Welfare Secretary Shalini Pandit visited Puri today and reviewed the health care infrastructure and facilities ahead of Rath Yatra this year. Pandit directed the CDMO and Public Health Officers to be on full alert to ensure the provision of healthcare services from Nabajauban Darsahn to Gundicha Jatra and Bahuda Jatra.
She held meetings during which provision of ambulance services, deployment of doctors, medical teams, para-medical staff, deployment of food safety inspection teams, and treatment of various infectious diseases were discussed. Coordination between departments related to welfare services, Covid management, provision of more beds in various hospitals for emergency services, heat stroke treatment system etc was discussed in detail.
It has been decided to provide 132 more emergency beds and 82 heat stroke treatment beds in Puri district hospitals and nearby hospitals for this year. Pandit directed to keep the casualty and emergency medical units in full readiness. First Aid Centers will be set up at multiple places on the Grand Road.
Apart from this, 30 ambulances will be kept ready at various important places. Two teams will be deployed for food safety inspection and special health awareness program will be organized. Meanwhile, 25 oxygen beds, operation theater and ICU have been fully prepared in the district headquarters hospital. In order to avoid the possibility of spread of infectious diseases during Rath Yatra, the district health officials have tightened the inspection of food safety and drinking water system. Pandit asked the Director of Health to ensure that there is no shortage of doctors and paramedics in the district during Rath Yatra festival.
Pandit also directed to send more than 240 specialist doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other paramedical staff from the State to Puri. The hospitals of the district were asked to keep the necessary quantity of medicines available and to re-check the functioning of all the equipment and medical equipment. It was decided to give passes to the health officers and employees from the district administration for transportation for patient care during the festival.
During this visit, Pandit visited Shri Jagannath Medical College and Hospital (SJMCH) and interacted with patients. Senior health officials including Odisha Medicine Corporation Limited Dr Poma Tudu, Health Department Director Dr Bijay Mahapatra, District Magistrate in-charge Pradeep Sahu, Principal and Dean of SJMCH Dr Maya Padhi participated in the discussions.
