Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has stepped up health preparedness and measures to ensure uninterrupted supplies of essential commodities in view of the possible impact of Cyclone Arnab, directing officials to remain alert, maintain adequate stocks and prevent black-marketing and profiteering.
Health Department Principal Secretary and Commissioner Aswathy S. on Monday reviewed the department’s preparedness at a meeting held at Kharavela Bhawan here, interacting with senior officials and Chief District Medical and Public Health Officers (CDMPHOs) of the concerned districts through video conferencing.
She directed officials to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services in flood-affected areas and maintain adequate stocks of essential medicines and medical supplies, including halogen tablets and bleaching powder.
Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) and Mobile Health Units have been asked to provide medical assistance in flood-hit and inaccessible areas. The department has also been directed to maintain close surveillance for diarrhoea, cholera, malaria, dengue and other water-borne and vector-borne diseases, ensuring prompt treatment wherever required.
Emphasising the needs of vulnerable groups, Aswathy instructed officials to ensure safe drinking water, sanitation and adequate healthcare facilities for people staying in relief centres, with particular attention to pregnant women, children and the elderly.
District health officials briefed the meeting on the flood situation, healthcare arrangements and measures taken on the ground. The Principal Secretary stressed coordination with other departments and said public health protection must remain the highest priority.
With the situation potentially worsening, officers and health workers have been directed to remain on alert and continue their duties until normalcy is restored. Leave of officers has been cancelled, while control rooms have been made operational at both state and district levels.
Meanwhile, the Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department has initiated measures to maintain an uninterrupted supply of essential commodities and keep prices under control during the possible cyclone situation.
Department Principal Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh has directed officials to ensure the availability of essential goods at reasonable prices and take strict action against black-marketers and unscrupulous traders.
Official assessments indicate that prices of pulses, edible oil, sugar, potatoes and onions in major markets across the state have remained largely stable compared with the previous week. Field officials are monitoring the purchase and sale prices of essential commodities daily.
The department has also expressed the expectation that vegetable prices may ease in the coming days with the arrival of locally produced vegetables in markets.
Consumers have been urged to report instances of black-marketing or profiteering to their local Chief Supply Officer or Supply Officer for prompt action.
