COVID 19: CM Patnaik says Odisha govt will utilise all resources to save human lives

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday said his government will make available to people best possible treatment, available anywhere in world, free of cost to cure m of COVID-19.

Patnaik gave this assurance to state legislators while dressing m in a video conference workshop on sensitisation of MLAs on COVID-19.

workshop was attended, among ors, by assembly Speaker S N Patroi, Leer of Opposition P K Naik and Congress Legislature Party leer N Mishra.

"When hospitals in many states charge lakhs of rupees for coronavirus treatment, Odisha government has been providing everything free of cost,” he said.

“Whatever best treatment is available in any part of world, Odisha will implement same and make it accessible to our people free of cost," he said.

He told state lawmakers that his government will put every resource at its command to save people’s lives in pandemic.

He told m that everything from travel to quarantine to testing, tracing, treatment, food and accommodation have been provided free of cost in Odisha.

eastern state is witnessing a rapid spre of infection. As per latest report, COVID-19 tally in state has gone past 29,000, while death toll has risen to 159 "I assure all hourable members that state will put every resource at its command to fight this pandemic and save people’s lives. Funds will never be a constraint when it involves protecting our people," Patnaik said.

While describing frontline workers dealing with coronavirus patients and suspected cases as "COVID Warriors," Patnaik said, "Let me as leer of House humbly say that dedication and sacrifice of our COVID warriors is an inspiration for entire Odisha.

"I see a Gopabandhu Das, a Mhu Babu, a Maa Rama Devi, a Parvati Giri (iconic personalities of state) in each one of your sacrifices." chief minister said he has been talking personally to some of COVID warriors and appealed to people of Odisha to respect m, to treat m with dignity and co-operate with m wholeheartedly.

Patnaik said it is t an easy task to work continuously in an environment of uncertainty for 150 days, but Odisha COVID warriors are doing so despite risking ir lives and those of ir family members.

"I can proudly say that my Odia brors & sisters as COVID warriors are t just doing work for salary but working for a mission to save every Odia people," he said.

Recalling his March 13 statement, Patnaiik reiterated that very few times in history of world have human beings as a race faced challenges beyond ir comprehension.

On corona situation in state, chief minister told MLAs that Odisha has been boldly facing this challenge.

"I would like to present a deep sense of gratitude to all COVID warriors who have been in frontline fighting invisible enemy. It is because of ir hard work, dedication and sacrifice that more than 18,000 people have been cured and Odisha has saved more people than most or states of country," he said.

He said state government has started plasma rapy with encouraging results. This pandemic has h a huge ecomic impact globally, nationally and locally, he ded.

"Through a series of livelihood interventions and industrial sector initiatives, our state is trying to kickstart ecomy. I am hopeful that our efforts will bear fruit," he said.

Optimistic of Odisha bouncing back to rmalcy, Patnaik said, "I am sure, Odisha that will evolve post-pandemic will be much stronger and prosperous." He appealed to all MLAs to take personal care of m and provide inspiring leership in ir constituencies.

"Please take care of COVID warriors in your areas, encour plasma donation and educate people at large to follow social distancing, wear masks and practice handwashing," Patnaik said.

While Leer of Opposition P K Naik of BJP stressed on a combined effort to fight against COVID-19, CLP leer N Mishra suggested state government to set up a House Committee on coronavirus.

video conference observed one-minute silence as a mark of respect to COVID warriors who died in line of duty.