Covid-19: Doctor’s infections point to breach in control measures, says Odisha CM

BHUBANESWAR: Expressing concern over healthcare professionals getting infected by Covid-19 in Odisha, chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday blamed ‘probable breach’ in maintaining infection control measures behind this.
“I have been distressed to note that over the past few weeks there have been insta nces of service providers in health facilities getting infected with Covid. This points to a probable breach in maintaining infection control practices,” said Naveen addressing a workshop for healthcare personnel in the state over videoconferencing.
The chief minister, in his address, also asked the state health department to ensure enough supplies of personal protection gear and facilitate better infection control plan at all levels for safety of the frontline healthcare workers.
With more than 10 doctors, over dozen nurses and several other healthcare workers at the grassroots infected by the virus in Odisha, the workshop was organised with focus on furthering safety measures for health workers engaged in Covid-19 management and to fine tune the safety protocols. All chief district medical officers (CDMOs), medical college staffs and other Covid hospital functionaries joined the work from their respective places.
The chief minister’s concern came in the backdrop of four doctors and eight nurses of the MKCG Medical College and another four resident doctors of AIIMS Bhubaneswar infected with Covid-19. On Wednesday, Rayagada CDMO and all his staff members asked to be in quarantine after one of the staff members tested positive.
Stating that the state has so far managed the Covid-19 pandemic effectively, Naveen gave the credit to the dedicated efforts and selfless services of the doctors and healthcare professionals.
Naveen also congratulated the healthcare workers for the lowest mortality rate in Covid in Odisha and also for one of the highest recovery rate in the entire country.
“In this difficult time, you are the heroes for the people. This places an even greater responsibility on you, as the conduct and protocols followed by you sets an example for the people. It is therefore our collective responsibility to see that that infection control measures and personal protection protocols are scrupulously followed in our health facilities and by our healthcare workers in the field,” underlined Naveen.
Unfazed by the opposition allegations regarding irregularities in procurement of medical equipment like PPEs, masks and others, Naveen said his government has taken extensive measures for purchase of required consumables, for personal protection and for training of personnel keeping in mind that the healthcare workers are the “most valuable asset and most vulnerable as well.”
“It is now essential that these protocols continue to be meticulously followed by you, to prevent infection amongst our valuable frontline workers and to maintain the faith of the people in our health institutions,” said Naveen.
Hailing the healthcare workers as the strength of the people in this long war against the virus, Naveen urged the doctors and healthcare professionals to ensure their safety to overcome the present situation.
With onset of monsoon, the chief minister said the next few weeks are critical in controlling the spread of Covid as well as monsoon-induced other communicable diseases. He said the health department would conduct a state-wide integrated campaign for house to house active surveillance for Covid, co-morbid conditions, TB, malaria and diarrhoea.
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