COVID-19: Odisha Increases Retirement Age Of Doctors

Bhubaneswar: In a major decision which could have been brought about by expectations that the COVID-19 battle is going to a long haul, Odisha government on Tuesday enhanced the retirement age of doctors.

Announcing the decision, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said that the retirement age of Medical Officers of OHMS cadre & Allopathic Insurance Medical Officers under Labour &Employees' State Insurance Department has been enhanced from 62 years to 65 years.

Patnaik, who reviewed the COVID-19 situation in the twin cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar through video conferencing, also sanctioned Rs 15 crore for management of COVID19 in Cuttack. The chief minister also approved Rs 20.64 crore from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF) for running of new dedicated COVID hospitals & COVID Care Centres in Khurda and Cuttack districts for next three months.

In Khurda district, a 150-bed dedicated COVID Hospital including 30-bed ICU will be set up by Aditya Ashwini Hospital. Besides, Rs 15 crore has been sanctioned for Khurda district and special focus will be given on slum pockets in Bhubaneswar.

Other key decisions taken at the review meeting include:

-126-bed dedicated COVID hospital in Neelachal Hospital with 15 ICU beds to be operational this week.

-1,385 beds in COVID Care Homes to be established soon with the help of communities.

-In Cuttack district, 925 additional beds in COVID hospitals and COVID Care Centres are being established

-Puja Committees and Sahi Committees will be roped in to focus on congested areas in Cuttack city.

-COVID-19 training and information centre at SCB Medical College

-Molecular Geonome Lab at SCB to be upgraded for prognosis of COVID-19 patients

(Edited By Bikram Keshari Jena)

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