Monkeypox scare: Will urge centre to make testing facility available in Odisha, says Health Minister

With Monkeypox gradually spreading its tentacles wide, Odisha Health Minister Naba Das on Saturday said the State government will write to the Centre to make testing facilities available in the State.

Speaking to media, the State Health Minister said, “The Health department is ready to tackle the possible outbreak of Monkeypox virus in the step and all necessary steps have been taken. The doctors will be given training at SCB Medical college and hospital in Cuttack.”

“As of now, there is nothing to panic about. I would like to urge the people of the State to follow the guidelines issued by the Centre. Besides, we also launch awareness campaigns to across the State to make people aware about the virus,” Das informed.

Notably, Odisha, on Saturday, hold a high-level meeting to chalk out plans to curb the possible outbreak of the virus in the State.
According to sources, the State government is likely to issue a new SOP and launch awareness drive soon. 

Meanwhile, Odisha has asked the centre to provide details of people returning from foreign countries and keeping a close eye of people with foreign travel history. 

It is worthwhile to mention here that, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared Monkeypox a global public health emergency of international concern and called on nations to work closely with communities of men who have sex with men and adopt measures that protect the health, human rights and dignity of affected communities.