Odisha: A “Model” in Demand

Bhubaneswar: Since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020 and continuing till today, Odisha has been successfully fighting the dreaded disease with full commitment and a disciplined strategy based on Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s minimum casualty endeavor. Odisha’s long experience in fighting natural disasters came as a blessing in disguise for the administration in early deployment of resources and personnel in the fight against the pandemic. The state was the first in the country to order lockdown and shutdown and prevent the spread of the disease. It was the first state in the country to involve the grassroots workers such as the PRI members, Anganwadi workers, Asha Didis and Self Help Group members in the battle against Covid-19. The state received laurels for its management of the pandemic from various quarters including that of the World Health Organisation. The fatality rate in Odisha remained among the lowest in the country.

The more virulent second wave that hit the state in the month of late March and April is also being fought with more vigor. Though due to its severity, the number of infections in Odisha saw a rise in late April and early May this year, it seems to be in the plateauing stage. The fatalities i⁰an Odisha have remained to the minimum when compared to the other states such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Karnataka. In addition to the various steps taken during the first wave of the pandemic, the Government of Odisha has taken a number of other steps in reinforcing the health infrastructure in the state. With a constant monitoring of the situation, the government has added more facilities to the existing Covid care centers and Hospitals. The thrust has been on providing more and more oxygen beds, ventilators and other advanced healthcare facilities to the needy. The efforts of the state government during the second wave also have been appreciated by multiple agencies including that of the Lancet Journal which said Odisha was well prepared to face the second wave.

At this crucial time, Odisha not only worked to safeguard its own people, but also helped other states grappling with a shortage of oxygen. The state has provided more than 975 tankers carrying about 17,874 metric tons of Liquid Medical Oxygen to 14 states. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik made the commitment to the country to provide all help in the transportation of the Oxygen from the state and ordered Odisha Police to set up a dedicated corridor for this.

The enthusiasm with which Odisha has been facing these difficult times is really praiseworthy. The Chief Minister also took the decision that the 18 plus category of population will be provided free vaccination with state resources. For this the state government has earmarked an amount of Two thousand crore rupees. When the vaccine manufacturers could not supply the committed quantity of vaccines, Naveen took the decision to go for global tender and subsequently the government floated a global tender for Covid-19 vaccines.

While the fight against Covid-19 continues, Naveen seems to be eyeing at fighting the third wave also. Some steps taken by the Chief Minister indicate that he is preparing his government for the third wave which seems evident from the predictions made by various agencies. The Odisha Government recently took several decisions that further strengthen the fight.

With a thrust on community participation, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik ordered to incentivizing grassroots workers such as Asha Didis and Anganwadi workers who are of utmost importance today. The state government made an allocation of Rs 10,000 to each Gaon Kalyan Samiti for undertaking Covid & non-Covid essential healthcare services at the village level with community involvement. Likewise, the Chief Minister also declared one time assistance of Rs 10,000 to ASHAs to improve their functional efficiency for effective Covid management and facilitating non-Covid healthcare services in rural areas of the state. Odisha has ordered for state-wide three months house to house survey by ASHAs and Anganwadi workers for monitoring of Covid symptoms and co-morbid conditions from May 24th. The government also allowed expenditure from MLALADS funds up to Rs 50 lakhs to be utilised for activities related to covid management, including procurement of masks from Mission Shakti Groups to provide for poor people.

Though third wave of the pandemic is just predicted, Naveen foreseeing the situation, order for formation of a high-level advisory committee under the leadership of K Srinath Reddy, president, Public Health Foundation Of India to suggest measures to the state government to tackle the possible third wave of Covid-19 pandemic. Some of the other members include eminent doctors such as Dr Devi Shetty and Dr Ramakanta Panda. Looking at the immediate requirements, the state government has also set up a committee which will monitor the preparedness for management of Covid-19 in view of the possible increased incidence of Covid-19 cases in paediatric population. The third wave which is said to affect the child population will also be fought with more vigor and care.

These efforts by the government of Odisha indicate that the machinery is being readied to face another challenge in the coming days. As always, this time also Odisha will see success in fighting the pandemic. The state mechanism under the leadership of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has put a barrier against Covid-19. As before, the well prepared community level ground workers will definitely keep the virus away in the next wave.