On Monday, the State Government of Odisha had announced a daily diet allowance of Rs 240 for doctors and paramedical employees who are engaged in COVID Care Centres, COVID Hospitals, and COVID Health Centres in Odisha. A notification was also issued earlier requesting the COVID hospitals to provide diet allowance of Rs 240 per day to patients who are undergoing treatment in their hospitals or centres. PK Mohapatra, additional Chief Secretary of Health and Family Welfare department has instructed all Superintendents, Collectors and Principals of all MCHs and Chief District Medical and Public Health Officers to make sure that the doctors and paramedics working for COVID-19 patients were provided a healthy and quality diet.

Mohapatra stated in a letter that the daily diet allowance for doctors and paramedical workers should be implemented immediately. The allowance would be extended in the arrangement of food but no financial incentives would be provided. The cost of all their diet will be managed from Chief Ministers Relief Fund-COVID 19. In the meantime, from Monday, 104 ambulances have been dedicated to the people of the Ganjam district. People can reach and call at 06811-263774 for ambulance support 24x7.

Source: The New Indian Express