Odisha gears up for Rath Yatra with additional doctors
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has announced a series of measures to strengthen the healthcare infrastructure ahead of the upcoming Rath Yatra in Puri, deploying 378 healthcare professionals and providing 265 hospital beds to ensure public safety.
Talking to reporters, Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling said elaborate arrangements have been made to handle medical emergencies during the festival, which draws lakhs of devotees each year, news agency PTI reported.
Mahaling added that in addition to 378 doctors and para-medical staff, 69 first-aid centres and 74 ambulances will be kept ready for any emergencies.
Given the recent outbreak of diarrhoea, the government has taken precautions to ensure the availability of safe drinking water and prevent the sale of stale food in the town.
The additional 265 hospital beds include 15 ICU beds and 100 beds at the ANM Training Centre, while the Puri District Headquarters Hospital has reserved 68 beds, including general, burn, and ICU facilities.
"I hope that the Rath Yatra will be conducted smoothly with the blessings of Lord Jagannath," the minister said.
The District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) has reserved 68 beds, including 50 general beds, 8 burn ward beds, and 10 ICU beds, an official statement of the health department said.
Additionally, 200 units of blood have been reserved while two minor operation theatres along with specialised dressing rooms have been set up to handle any medical emergencies, it said.
For the first time, a team of doctors from AIIMS Bhubaneswar will be stationed at medical centres in Puri to provide additional support.
Similarly, a specialised 10-bed air-conditioned heat stroke centre has been established at Talabania to address weather-related health issues.
"Rigorous health monitoring and disease prevention measures are in place to maintain public health standards throughout the Ratha Yatra period," the statement further said.
To curb the outbreak of any water or food-borne disease, a total of eight food safety officers have been assigned.
All 108 emergency ambulances will remain on high alert and operate along designated corridors with the support of NGO volunteers.
To prevent disease outbreaks, eight food safety officers and three mobile surveillance teams have been deployed.
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