In This Difficult Time, You Are the Heroes for the People: Naveen to Healthcare Workers

Bhubaneswar: The Chief Minister today extended his deep appreciation to all the hospital teams and district health teams stating that they are the heroes of the people in this difficult time.

“It is due to your dedicated efforts and selfless service that our State has been able to manage the Covid pandemic effectively so far”, the CM said.

Addressing a technical workshop for health personnel, the Chief Minister said, “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”, the CM said.

Naveen said, “Keeping in mind that our healthcare workers are our most valuable asset in the fight against Covid, but also the most vulnerable, the State has taken extensive measures for training of personnel and purchase of required consumables, for personal protection”.

“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”, the CM further added.

He said, “I have been distressed to note that over the past few weeks there have been instances of service providers in health facilities getting infected with Covid.

This points to a probable breach in maintaining infection control practices”.

“I would like to emphasize again that you are the strength of the people in this long war. Please first ensure your safety and the safety of your team. That is the only way we can overcome the present situation”, he said.

The Health Department should ensure that adequate supplies for personal protection and infection control are available at all levels in the field. Refresher trainings on such protocols should be conducted where required, the CM stressed.

As the next few weeks are critical in controlling the spread of Covid as well as monsoon induced other communicable diseases, the Health Department is also to conduct a State-wide integrated campaign for house to house active surveillance for Covid, co-morbid conditions, TB, malaria and diarrhea, he added.

“With our collective efforts we will be able to successfully manage this pandemics and ensure the health of our people”, the CM said.