Odisha Health Minister Reviews Post-Flood Healthcare Restoration in Ganjam
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling reviewed the restoration of healthcare services in flood-affected areas of Ganjam district and directed officials to ensure uninterrupted medical facilities, enhanced disease surveillance, and rapid deployment of additional medical resources.
During his visit to several affected areas, the Minister inspected the Sub-Divisional Hospital (SDH) at Asika and assessed the availability of medical services, sanitation measures, attendance of healthcare personnel, patient amenities, and biomedical waste management systems.
He instructed officials to maintain cleanliness, ensure proper waste disposal, and provide uninterrupted power supply with adequate backup arrangements at healthcare institutions.
To address disruptions caused by the recent floods, the Minister directed authorities to operationalize two temporary hospitals at Kendriya Vidyalaya and the Women’s College in Asika.
Medical services have already commenced at the Women’s College facility. These temporary hospitals will provide primary and emergency healthcare, while patients requiring advanced treatment will be referred to higher medical centres.
The state government has decided to deploy 21 additional Mobile Health Units (MHUs) in remote and waterlogged areas to improve healthcare access.
Ten of these units have already become operational and are conducting health check-ups, distributing medicines, and providing emergency medical consultations.
Mahaling also emphasized strengthening surveillance against post-flood diseases such as diarrhoea, fever, vomiting, skin ailments, and other waterborne infections.
Sanitary napkins are being distributed among women in affected regions, while four additional Food Safety Officers will monitor food quality and safety.
The Minister said private healthcare institutions including Hi-Tech, Apollo, SUM, Vikas, and Mahanadi Netra Chikitsalaya are expected to support relief efforts by extending medical services in flood-hit areas.
He stressed that collaboration between government and private healthcare providers is vital for effective disaster response.
Apart from healthcare, Mahaling reviewed the restoration of drinking water and telecommunications services.
He directed service providers to restore mobile connectivity at the earliest and instructed officials to ensure safe drinking water through regular quality testing and alternative supply arrangements where necessary.
The Odisha Government is accelerating post-flood restoration and rehabilitation efforts aimed at restoring healthcare, communication, power supply, and other essential services across affected areas of Ganjam district.
