As many as 8,263 doctors are now engaged in various hospitals in the battle against novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the State, according to a report of the Health and Family Welfare Department.
As per the status report on COVID-19 submitted to the Orissa High Court, a total of 7,253 Odisha Medical and Health Services (OMHS)-Cadre doctors, 1,010 Odisha Medical Education Service-Cadre doctors are working for the people with suspected or confirmed 2019-nCoV infection.
Besides, 7,015 staff nurses, 2,680 pharmacists, 1,397 laboratory technicians, 342 radiographers, 4,333 Multi Purpose Health Workers (male) and 10,323 women health workers are engaged under the Health and Family Welfare Department to fight the deadly virus.
As per the guidelines by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the State Government has taken steps to provide personal protective equipments (PPEs) to the doctors and healthcare workers for their safety. The Odisha State Medical Corporation(OSMC) has ordered various organisations to supply 10.20 lakh PPEs.
In the status report, the Health and Family Welfare Department has said a total of 908 PPE kits have been provided to the medical practitioners in the first week of March, 441 PPE in second week, 352 in third week and 1,236 in fourth week of March.
As on April 5, 3,228 PPE kits, 83,129 N-95 masks, 64,23,824 triple layer masks, 79,21,183 surgery gloves and 1.55 lakh hand sanitisers are in stock for use.
In March, a total of 1,08,497 triple layer facemasks have been provided in the first week, 33,278 in second week, 1,09,815 in third week and 3,19,105 in fourth week. Similarly, 10,453 N-95 masks have been provided in first week, 18,898 in second week, 11,985 in third week and 30,881 in fourth week.