Mrunal Manmay Dash

Bhubaneswar: Alarmed by resurgence of COVID-19 cases, the Odisha government on Monday appointed 36 doctors for smooth management of COVID19 related work in four districts.

As per as notification by the Health department, the post PG doctors have been appointed for Kalahandi, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur and Nuapada which have witnessed a spurt in the Covid infections.

While 10 doctors each have been posted in Kalahandi and Nuapada, eight doctors each deputed to Malkangiri and Nabarangpur. All the doctors belong to SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack and MKCG MCH, Berhampur. They will work under the Chief District Medical and Public Health Officers in the four districts.

Similarly, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has appointed 25 AYUSH doctors for control of COVID19 situation under its jurisdiction. The doctors have been asked to submit their reports to the BMC commissioner by April 6.

Meanwhile, Additional Chief Secretary of Odisha Health department on Monday shot off a fresh letter to Centre over shortage of COVID19 vaccines in State.

In the letter addressed to the Secretary of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the ACS, Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra wrote, “There is acute shortage of Covishield vaccine in State, with only 2 days stock with us. We again request for at least 15 lakh doses of Covishield to be provided to Odisha immediately in view of surge in cases and impending heat wave.”

It is pertinent to mention here that, Odisha have been assured by the Centre to get 3,49,130 doses of Covishield by April 6 (2.00 pm). However, the ACS has cited in his letter that this will not be sufficient for even two days.

Mohapatra went on to reiterate that the vaccine wastage rate of the State is Minus 0.5% (i.e, Vaccine Savings), which is amongst the lowest in the country.

As far as Covaxin vaccine is concerned, the Director of Odisha Health department, Bijay Panigrahi had earlier said that the State has sufficient stock of Covaxin.

(Edited By Ramakanta Biswas)

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