Naveen reviews Covid situation, says Rs 2,004 crore assistance provided to poor

Bhubaneswar: Reviewing the preparedness to fight the possible third wave of Covid, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Friday said the district administrations have the responsibility to ensure that people get necessary healthcare service without facing any hassle.

Patnaik said Rs 2,004 crore Covid assistance has been provided to the poor people particularly for small farmers, construction workers, PTVG, SC/ST students, Mission Shakti members, MGNREGS workers and street vendors so far.

Quoting the views of the experts, the Chief Minister said if the third wave hits the state towards the end of August, the administration will need to counter it with full preparedness. Everyone – right from the IIC of Police stations to BDO, SDPO, Sub Collector, SP and Collector should accept ‘every life is valuable’ as the basic motto of the state health policy, he said.

It is also a part of their main responsibility to see that people face no problem in getting health services from district headquarter hospital to CHC level, the Chief Minister added.

Although the Covid situation in the state is under control yet there is no room for self-complacency, he said adding that more precautions need to be taken to protect from the pandemic.

Patnaik said though the Test Positivity Rate (TPR) has declined in the state during the last few weeks, the Covid situation in some of the districts is yet to be improved.

Keeping this in view, he asked the people to strictly follow the Covid protocols and avoid unnecessary crowding.

UNI