Bhubaneswar, 28 October (H.S.): As Cyclone Montha moves toward the coast, the Odisha government has put in place extensive measures to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services during and after the cyclone. The Health and Family Welfare Department has stocked essential medicines and medical supplies across all regional hospitals, primary and community health centres, district headquarters hospitals, and medical colleges in the state.

The department has directed medical college authorities to maintain constant coordination with district chief medical officers to ensure that expert consultation and emergency support are available without delay. All 108 and 102 ambulance services, mobile health units, Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) units, and rapid action teams have been linked to the state control room for better coordination and prompt response.

According to official data, government hospitals across Odisha currently have more than 3.71 crore paracetamol tablets, 1.87 crore ORS sachets, 3.82 crore zinc tablets, 1.75 crore halogen tablets, 3.02 lakh anti-venom injections, and 67.04 lakh packets of bleaching powder in stock. Additionally, sufficient supplies of life-saving and emergency medicines, oxygen cylinders, blood units, and blood products have been secured in all hospitals and health centres.

The department has also made arrangements to dispatch additional medicines and medical personnel to affected districts as required. All district headquarters hospitals have activated 24×7 control rooms, while emergency wards have been equipped with extra trauma kits to handle casualties.

Given the likelihood of flooding and waterlogging due to heavy rainfall, special measures have been taken to prevent waterborne and vector-borne diseases. Adequate stocks of preventive medicines have been distributed to vulnerable areas, and public awareness campaigns are being conducted to educate people on health and hygiene practices during the cyclone.

The Health Department has further confirmed that additional medical staff are being deployed in highly affected districts to ensure immediate healthcare access for all citizens during any emergency.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda