Keeping in mind the possibility of a third wave of Covid 19 pandemic hitting the state in the immediate future, the Odisha government on Monday started conducting on-line training sessions for paediatricians, medical officers and staff nurses in the State.
This exercise became necessary in the backdrop of apprehensions that children will be more susceptible to infection in the third wave and the above category of medics and Para-medics will be treating children at various Covid hospitals in the eventuality.
"The training will be conducted in six phases. They will all be imparted practical training. The session for the frontline workers like ASHAs, Anganwadi workers and other health activists has already been completed at grassroots level," said Director, Family Welfare, Dr Bijay Panigrahi.
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The government is well prepared in terms of human resources and equipment ahead of the possible third wave of the Covid pandemic, he added.
As per experts, the third wave would not be as severe as the second wave. However, 15 per cent children are feared to be affected by the virus. “So, the government is preparing accordingly,” he added.
As many as 1.78 crore people have received Covid vaccine shots in the State so far out of which 1.37 crore have received the first dose while 41 lakh took the booster dose, Panigrahi informed.
The government is aiming at inoculating 3 lakh people everyday but 2 lakh are being covered daily due to certain issues, he said.
“Some issues arouse in places where Covaxin doses are administered due to shortage of vaccines,” he said, adding, “We have written to the Centre for adequate doses of Covaxin.”
The top health official said vaccination of pregnant women is also going on in the State. As many as 57,000 expectant mothers have already received the jab so far in the State.
Speaking on the RMRC study on mixed dose of Covaxin and Covishield, he said that government has no plans to launch the cocktail vaccines as of now. “Decision will be taken on the current study after getting recommendation from the government following experts' consent,” he added.