Covid spike: Odisha to activate Govt, private facilities in phases

Bhubaneswar: Amid the upsurge in Covid cases, the Odisha government today directed the district administrations, municipal commissioners and health officials to activate the government and private facilities in a phased manner.

In a letter, Additional Chief Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Department, PK Mohapatra asked the District Collectors, Municipal Commissioners and CDMs and PHOs to activate the Government and private Covid facilities which were functionalized during the 1st phase of the pandemic in a phase wise manner.

The letter stated a total of 50 beds should be increased at the Covid facilities at one time.

The number of ICU shall be 20% of general beds and availability of ventilators shall be at least 50% of all lCUs, it read.

Big facilities having more than 100 beds shall preferably have facilities for surgery (all type), maternity care, NICU and dialysis.

The letter further stated all the private hospitals under the Odisha Clinical Establishment Act having 30 beds or more must have at least 10% of available beds (General bed & ICU) reserved for Covid patients.

On activation of any Covid facility intimation shall be made to Government for obtaining post facto approval for the same. For Private Covid facilities negotiation shall be made with the earlier funding parties for reimbursement and an appropriate agreement (tripartite/bipartite) shall be signed indicating the date of functioning, number of beds, and approved rates, the letter stated.

The officials were asked to engage manpower proportionate to the bed occupancy in government Covid facilities for management of patients.

A dedicated helpdesk will be set up as per the guidelines.