Bhubaneswar, 9/6 (Ao Bureau): Odisha Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik today laid the foundation stone of 7 liquid medical oxygen plants and 7 PSA systems in 7 districts of the state. It has also inaugurated an additional health facility in Balasore with the help of the World Health Organization, a dengue and diarrhea ward, a blood classification unit, a center for the treatment of lung disease in Cuttack and an RT-PCR test laboratory in Nabarangpur. A total of Rs 29.41 crore has been invested in all these infrastructures.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the demand for medical oxygen in the second wave of the corona had greatly increased. At the moment, there is no problem with the supply of oxygen in Odisha. In addition to meeting its needs, Odisha has saved 14 lives by supplying oxygen to 14 states. “It will definitely create a unique identity for Odisha and it will be a source of self-satisfaction for every Oriya,” he said.
The chief minister said the system was “complex” from the production of oxygen to the provision of services to patients. It requires a lot of equipment, vehicles, constant monitoring and other systems. “We have strengthened our system by bringing oxygen cylinders to Odisha from different parts of the country and even from China,” he said.
“We need to be prepared from now on,” he said, highlighting the unpredictable pace of the coronavirus infection. This is why we are emphasizing our health infrastructure, health workers and training systems. The Chief Minister hoped that today’s new system would provide services to the people soon. The Chief Minister thanked the corporate sector for its support.
The Chief Minister said that liquid medical oxygen plants were being constructed in all the major hospitals in the state.
Finally, the Chief Minister urged the people to be vigilant during the festivals like Raj and Sabitri and to observe all the Kovid rules.
Joining the event from Jharsuguda, Health Minister Shri Navkishore Das said that Odisha has now become a new hope for the entire country in the field of oxygen. He praised the Chief Minister’s leadership. He hoped that with today’s infrastructure, Odisha could successfully cope with the third wave. Mrs. Tukuni Sahu, Minister for Women and Child Development and Mission Power from Balangir, Shri Ashok Panda, Minister for Science and Technology from Bhubaneswar, graced the occasion and lauded the Chief Minister’s leadership for the remarkable improvement in Odisha in the field of health infrastructure.
Deputy Chief Whip, Nabarangpur MP, Balasore MLA, Koraput MLA, Balangir MLA, Cuttack-Chowdhury MLA, Nabarangpur MLA and others addressed the function.
Chief Minister’s Secretary (5th) Shri V.K. Pandian managed the program.
In his welcome address, PK Mahamatra, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Health, said that RT-PCR test laboratories have now been set up in 14 districts of the state, including Nabarangpur. He said the provision would be made in all districts of the state.
Mrs. Yamini Sadangi, Managing Director, Odisha Medical Corporation, thanked the participants.
The event was attended by the Chief Secretary and senior officials.