Odisha Government is fully ready to meet any kind of eventualities in the wake of a possible third wave of Covid-19 pandemic in the State, said Bijay Mohapatra, director of State Health Services Department.
“It is expected that children will be affected more during the third wave of the pandemic. To deal with the situation, the government has issued guidelines to set up more number of paediatric beds at various Covid hospitals,” said Mohapatra.
“The State Government is giving emphasis for special treatment of children in case of breakout of a third wave of Covid-19. A target has been set to procure 36 new equipment and 29-30 types of drugs with an estimated budget of Rs 30 crore,” said Mishra.
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Meanwhile, Mohapatra assured that the State has sufficient stock of medicines, required number of equipment, oxygen cylinders and infrastructural facilities at various hospitals.
“Keeping in view of the third wave, we are trying to arrange more number of oxygen cylinders. Necessary training is also being imparted to all the health workers including doctors and nurses,” said Mohapatra.
He also cautioned people not to be complacent considering the present dip in infection of the pandemic in the State.
“Currently the State is witnessing the second wave of the pandemic waning slowly with a long tail. The infection rate is more in the areas with population of high density. The rate of infection has dipped in the State, but we have to be careful as the rate of infection has increased in other states and countries,” said Mohapatra.
(Edited by Suryakant Jena)