Odisha Govt to retain manpower engaged for COVID management for another month

Bhubaneswar: As COVID-19 is on a declining trend in Odisha over the last few weeks, the state Government has decided to retain the additional manpower, who were roped in to tackle the situation during the pandemic, for one more month .

The Health and Family Welfare Department (H& FW) has written a letter to all Collectors, Municipal Commissioners, Directors of Rourkela Government Hospital (RGH) and Capital Hospital, all CDMOs and PHOs and Superintendents, Deans and  Principals of all Government Medical College and Hospitals in the state in this regard.

In view of  the decrease in daily cases and as part of readiness for the anticipated third wave, the state Government, after careful consideration, decided to retain the additional manpower, who were engaged at Government owned and Government-managed facilities for COVID-19 management, up to November 30, 202,1 the letter read.

However, personnel already engaged for activities of surveillance, vaccination and testing may be retained as such.

Also Read: Next of kin of those died due to Covid can apply for ex-gratia from Nov 3: Odisha govt

“Besides, COVID infrastructure, including beds at Government facilities will be kept intact and may, in the event of necessity, be diverted to non-COVID only with the approval of the Collector/ Municipal Commissioner concerned,” the letter read.

The disengagement of manpower will abide by the observations and direction of Orissa High Court. The category of manpower such as MBBS doctor, AYUSH doctor, staff nurse, lab technician, pharmacist, hospital manager, DEO for the Government COVID Hospitals will be paid out of HSS-NHM funds. Besides, Outsourced Support Staff (attendant, security, cleaning, electrician and plumber) will be paid out of the budgetary provision made under the Nirmal scheme, the H & FW department said in the letter.