5% general, ICU beds in Odisha hospitals to be reserved for health care workers

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has decided to reserve 5% of total general beds and ICU for health care workers at the hospitals designated for doctors and their family members for treatment of Covid infection. The Health and Family Welfare Department issued a notification in this regard today.

Also, the department asked hospitals to screen all the patients with suspected Covid symptoms by the Rapid Antigen test (RAT) while attending IPD or OPD services. The decision has been taken to ensure appropriate precaution at right time so that the Health Care System remains free from Covid infection. This will also help in maintaining preparedness for the possible third wave of Covid pandemic, the HFW notification added.

The entry points to the hospital shall be screened by thermal detectors and sanitizers shall be provided. Wearing a mask shall be mandatory for all without which the entry will be prohibited.

The Health Care Workers shall be provided with PPE and they shall follow Covid appropriate behavior, the notification read.

As Covid Warriors, the Health Care Workers will be entitled for all benefits as per existing guidelines, it mentioned.