In Bhubaneswar, the Odisha government has designated a COVID Hospital for treatment of doctors and COVID warriors who have tested positive for the coronavirus infection in the State.

According to the order of the Health and Family Welfare department, Aditya Ashwini COVID-19 Hospital will entirely treat doctors and COVID-19 warriors whenever they are found infected with coronavirus infection. The following decision was taken due to rising demands from various doctors’ associations.

PK Mohapatra, Additional Chief Secretary said that the COVID ward of SCB Medical College and Hospital at Cuttack have also made special arrangements for doctors and COVID warriors who are infected by the coronavirus. Few beds in the general ward and ICU will also be kept reserved for them.

The department has also asked the Director of Health Services (DHS) and Directorate of Medical Education and Training (DMET) to take the required action as no doctor or paramedical staff or any frontline COVID warrior should face any inconvenience in getting the essential treatment.

Some states such as Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal have already set up a dedicated COVID Hospital for doctors and paramedical professionals. Odisha has also extended the service for all frontline COVID warriors with the healthcare staff. The dedicated COVID hospital will have all the necessary specialized care and intensive care specialists 24-hour.

The government and private doctors have welcomed this decision. Dr Narayan Rout, President of Odisha Medical Services Association said that this move would lift the morale of the medical fraternity. They were demanding a separate treatment facility for healthcare professionals as they could get specialized treatment and recover soon to re-join duty. Finally, the Government has agreed. Over 75 COVID warriors, which includes 25 doctors have succumbed to the coronavirus disease in the State till now.

Source: The New Indian Express