Bhubaneswar: Even as COVID-19 cases show no signs of receding, Odisha government's decision to shut down COVID Care Centres and Temporary Medical Centres (TMCs) has invited sharp criticisms from people across the State.
Citizens took to social media to vent their ire against the government's decision terming it irrational and lacking sensitivity at a time when the State is in a severe grip of the pandemic. Many questioned the rationale behind the sudden move when quarantining infected people have become an issue for people living in small houses.
"Is there sufficient beds in hospital for covid active cases and people with other diseases, If not then why CCC and TMC to close. As one of my friend didn't get a single bed at bbsr for her treatment," wrote a Twitterati.
Another Twitterati wrote, "When the Covid cases are rising, such decision is unfortunate. Government should notify alternative to public."
"Is it a joke? Why did they open, if they can't manage? When we had 1/2 cases, we had several hospitals and care centers. And when we have in 30000+ active cases, all are getting closed," said another.
In a letter to all district collectors and municipal commissioners, the additional chief secretary (State health department) said, “…the occupancy in TMCs and CCHs are virtually nil. Hence, these facilities should be immediately closed down and in case of CCCS (COVID Care Centres), the occupancy has dramatically fallen and in many of them there are no patients.”
He further said, “CCCs should also be closed down wherever there are no patients and in other places where the occupancy is less it should be scaled down and the requisite manpower be remobilised to their original positions and in case of CCHS, the health personnel can be redeployed in the districts where their services can be better utilised.”