Bhubaneswar: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the State government alleging that Western Odisha is receiving step-motherly treatment in COVID-19 management.
"Naveen Patnaik government has blatantly neglected Western Odisha. Even though COVID-19 cases have increased manyfold in the region, the State government has withdrawn more than 100 doctors and engaged them in Ganjam district," said BJP MLA Pradipta Naik.
"Naveen Babu needs to realise that all are one. COVID-19 is not restricted to Khurda, Cuttack and Ganjam that all infrastructure development should be concentrated in these places by neglecting the people of Western Odisha," said the Leader of Opposition.
While cases are sharply rising in Kalahandi, there is no testing facility in Bargarh, Burla, Sambalpur, Bolangir and other places, he said adding, "Swab samples are being collected from these areas for testing in Bhubaneswar and people are getting test reports after 7-8 days, which is allowing spread of virus."
"The government had promised a 30-bed ICU in Sambalpur; however, it is yet to materialise. Bolangir is reeling under health staff shortage, but doctors were withdrawn form that district too," said Naik.
“As it’s a pandemic situation, the State government should have engaged doctors of the private hospitals which are presently shut by giving them additional remuneration,” he added.
Responding to the allegations of Naik, ruling-BJD MLA Rohit Pujari said, "As far as I know, the district administrations are taking all possible measures in the western region. Lockdown has been strictly imposed in places like Sambalpur and Rourkela."
Pujari further said that during these critical times, parties should refrain from playing politics.
Meanwhile, later in the day today, Odisha Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy informed that Plasma therapy for COVID-19 patients will be introduced in Rourkela IGH soon.
(Edited By Bikram Keshari Jena)
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