Alertness, Not Self-Satisfaction Need Of the Hour: Naveen

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today reviewed the Covid-19 situation in the state and said that the dangers of pandemic are not yet over and the need of the hour is more alertness and not self-satisfaction. During the review meeting, he discussed with the officials about the preparedness of the state in view of the third wave of the pandemic and the various covid-19 relief measures being undertaken by the government.

During the meeting, Naveen said that, while the positivity rate in the state has come down, some districts are yet to achieve the intended decline in the infections. While the situation is under control, we should not be over selfsatisfied with it and more alertness will save us. He also directed the officials to implement strict Covid-19 norms in order to avoid any further rise in the infections.

Reiterating the views of experts that the third wave of Covid-19 pandemic will come by August last, the Chief Minister said, we have to fight it with complete readiness. Stating that healthcare is of utmost priority for the government, Naveen said the government is also focusing on strengthening healthcare infrastructure along with manpower utilization.

The district administrations have the important duty to see that the common man gets all the healthcare facilitates without difficulty. “Every life is precious” is the foundation of the State Government’s health policy and hence it is the duty of each and every officer starting from IIC, BDO, SDPO, Sub-Collector and Collector to see that there are no difficulties for the common man in getting healthcare at the hospitals ranging from the District Headquarters to the CHC level health centers.

The Chief Minister has announced financial assistance during the second wave of the pandemic to small farmers, construction workers, MGNREGS labourers, primitive tribes, SC ST Students, Mission Shakti members and street vendors. These have done through various schemes of ten departments of the state government. Till now, an amount of Rs 2004 Crore has been spent on financial assistance to these groups.

Participating in the meeting, Chief Secretary Suresh Mahapatra stressed upon vaccination of teachers, and other staff of schools. Additional Chief Secretary P K Mahapatra informed ablout the State’s preparedness for the third wave of the pandemic. Development Commissioner cum Special Relief Commissioner P K Jena gave a detailed presentation on the management of various Covid-19 relief measures announced by the Chief Minister. The meeting also discussed about the management of Biju Swasthya Kalyana Yojana in the state.

While Secretary to Chief Minister, 5T Initiatives, V K Pandian coordinated the meeting, others who were present include the Police DG, Principal Secretaries of various departments, Secretaries, Collectors and Superintendents of Police.