BHUBANESWAR:With the system over Bay of Bengal likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm during next 24 hours, the State Government on Monday asked all medical and paramedical staff to remain present in their respective headquarters and decided not to allow leave during the period.
In a letter to all chief district medical officers (CDMOs), Principal Secretary in Health and Family Welfare Department Arti Ahuja said pregnant women having expected date of delivery within two weeks should be enlisted at village level and kept at block level.
Besides, surveillance data on communicable diseases, diarrhoea, fever, measles, acute respiratory infection and skin diseases should be gathered daily in the prescribed format to monitor the trend and detect outbreak if any, she said.
Health education should be imparted to people on use of safe drinking water, use of halazone tablets, ORS and use of mosquito nets, Ahuja said and added that drug situation at district/sub-divisional levels should be monitored and indent should be placed to Odisha State Medical Corporation Limited if required.
Ahuja said a control room should be opened with a working telephone number which should be communicated to all concerned. She said registered respiratory therapist (RRT) with a suitable vehicle and other logistics should be kept ready at the district as well as block level. She asked the CDMOs to prepare the contingency plan for deployment of staff from non-affected areas within the district for deployment whenever required. Besides, she said all ASHAs should be provided with ORS, halazone, anti-diarrhoeals and paracetamol tablets.
All vehicles including ambulances, 102, 108, Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram and mobile hospital unit vehicles should be kept ready, she said and added that available Genset should also be kept in readiness
Emergency meet in Cuttack
CUTTACK: The district administration on Monday night convened an emergency meeting to take stock of its preparedness to tackle Cyclone Kyant. After reviewing existing disaster management system of the district, Collector Nirmal Chandra Mishra directed block development officers (BDOs) of all the 14 blocks to keep cyclone shelters ready.Mishra directed officials of all line departments to keep inventories of 326 essential items in readiness.
The officials were also asked to prepare a list of individuals and private agencies to procure essential commodities if required. Agriculture officials were directed to advise farmers to shift their harvested paddy from the cultivated land to safer places.
While the district civil supply officer was advised to keep adequate stock of flattened rice, molasses and kerosene, the regional transport officer was asked to keep vehicles ready for supply of relief materials. Mishra also directed authorities of Fire, ODRAF and NDRF to be on alert to tackle the cyclone. Authorities of CMC, JICA and R&B were directed to conduct immediate repair works and restore communication.