Bhubaneswar: Amid the cyclonic storm 'Dana' which has already entered coastal Odisha, the state health department on Tuesday informed that service providers, including doctors, will not be allowed to take leave from October 23 to 25.

Odisha Health Director Bijay Kumar Mohapatra said that the doctors will provide emergency services at government hospitals during the cyclone. He also said that the hospitals will have 24×7 power backup which means that admitted patients and those visiting the hospitals will get treatment and the government will try to cover all facilities under it.

Apart from this, control rooms will be opened from state level to block-level and the pregnant women whose expected delivery dates are nearer will be kept at the facilities or ‘Maa Gruha’ and provide all facilities.

Also read- Violence against Doctors: Punjab Govt doctors prepare for agitation over lack of security measures

Speaking to the ANI, Health Director Bijay Mohapatra said, “As this kind of disaster takes place in Odisha, the State government has set a protocol. As per the protocol, there are two levels -facility level and community level.”

“At the facility level, the manpower has been kept ready to address any eventuality. The leaves of the doctors and others have been cancelled. All required drug logistics- from injury to diarrhoea medicines and anti-snake venom will be kept in the concerned hospitals. Besides, there will be 24×7 power backup and safe drinking water in the hospitals and we will try to cover all facilities under it,” he added.

“At the community level, we have identified the vulnerable areas that are most likely to be affected by the cyclone and ready with the healthcare facilities. Even health services will also be provided at the cyclone shelters and the concerned officials at the district level have been directed to look into the matter,” he further said.

Also read- Chennai doctor arrested for allegedly sexually harassing woman at hospital