Amidst Coronavirus Scare, Port Health Unit To Be Set Up In Paradip

Paradip: At a time when the deadly Coronavirus is affecting thousands in China and other countries, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Paradip Port Trust and Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare for setting up a Port Health Unit in the district.

The four bedded Port Health Unit will be set up in the old dispensary located at Bhuyan Chowk, Madhuban in Paradip. Before that, it will start operating from the Port Hospital. The unit will ensure health check up of crew members of ships berthing at Paradip and check the possible spread of diseases from foreign nationals.

The MoU was signed in the presence of the Port Chairman Rinkesh Ray, Estate Officer Biswajit Mishra and Regional Director of Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, S K Kar.

Speaking on the sidelines of the MoU signing, Kar said, "Govt of India has posted health officers at point of entries like airports and sea ports. Their work is surveillance and quarantine so that no disease from foreign land enters through our shores."

As per reports, while other ports in the country already have Port Health Units, there were plans to set up one at Paradip port.

"In all major port trusts, a health officer from the Union Ministry is appointed. There are many functions like check up of crew members, food quality and sanitation on the ship," said Chairman of Paradip Port Trust, Rinkesh Roy.