Covid 19 threat: Odisha stipulates minimum Covid beds at govt hospitals

In view of a surge in Covid-19 cases, the Public Health department of Odisha has directed all government medical colleges and Chief District Medical Officers (CDMO) to remain prepared to provide necessary healthcare facilities if the need arises.

In a letter to the director of Capital Hospital, RGH Hospital, CDMOs, and superintendents of all government medical colleges and hospitals, the Public Health department director directed to keep all healthcare facilities ready to manage Covid cases requiring hospitalization.

As per the letter, the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, MKCG in Berhampur, VIMSAR in Burla, and SLNMCH in Koraput have been asked to earmark at least 20 beds for COVID-19 with at least two ICU beds. 

Similarly, all District Headquarters Hospitals (DHH) and collocated medical colleges have to earmark at least 10 beds as isolation Covid facility with standby beds to increase capacity if required. All prefab newly-constructed Covid emergency blocks are to be kept in readiness with all logistics, the letter read.

All CHCs having prefab structures have to earmark six beds in it for Covid cases and all above Covid facilities have to be managed with existing manpower, the letter read further.

Moreover, oxygen concentrators, oxygen cylinders, LMO, PSA are to be kept in readiness and working order. A contingency plan is to be prepared for any eventual rise in cases to be handled in each facility.

Fever clinics along with walk-in COVID testing facilities have to be in place in all medical colleges, DHHs, SDHs & CHCs. Besides, mock drills will be carried out on 10th and 11th April 2023 to take a stock of hospital preparedness including essential drugs, beds, including ICU beds, medical equipment, medical oxygen, capacity building of human resources on existing guidelines as well as vaccination coverage and report compliance. 

(Reported by Harihar Chand, OTV)