Bhubaneswar: With Cyclone Montha expected to impact parts of south and southwestern Odisha in the coming days, the State Health and Family Welfare Department has announced full preparedness to handle any health-related emergencies.
A high-level review meeting, chaired by Health Secretary Aswathy S., was held this evening via video conferencing with district collectors, CDMOs, and senior officials from medical colleges and hospitals. The meeting focused on the readiness of health facilities at all levels — from district headquarters hospitals to CHCs and PHCs — to ensure uninterrupted medical services during the cyclone.
Among the key priorities discussed were the relocation of pregnant women to safe maternity homes and hospitals, installation of DG sets and inverters to maintain power backup, stockpiling of essential medicines such as anti-snake venom, saline, ORS, halogen tablets, and other life-saving drugs, as well as ensuring adequate fuel for ambulances and food supplies for patients.
The Health Secretary informed that final preparedness has been completed in eight vulnerable districts — Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, and Kandhamal, along with other districts under orange and yellow alerts. Rapid Action Teams, equipped with vehicles, tools, and manpower, have been deployed for swift emergency response.
As per official data, 4,511 pregnant women have been identified across cyclone-prone regions, of which 3,823 are from the red-warning districts. By Thursday evening, 1,073 women had already been shifted from low-lying and vulnerable areas to Maa Gruhas (maternity waiting homes) and nearby health institutions, and 202 safe deliveries have been reported so far. The Secretary directed officials to ensure 100% relocation of expectant mothers from high-risk zones and maintain real-time coordination with district emergency units.
Medical college superintendents have been instructed to stay on high alert and extend all necessary support to nearby districts. To strengthen emergency response, an emergency contingency fund of ₹2 lakh has been released to each district for immediate expenditure.
Senior health officials including Special Secretary Dr. Bijay Kumar Mohapatra, Director of Public Health Dr. Nilakantha Mishra, and NHM representatives attended the review meeting.
Emphasizing the importance of field-level vigilance and teamwork, Secretary Aswathy S. urged that the efforts of frontline health workers be duly recognized and reported to the state headquarters, underscoring that coordinated preparedness remains the key to safeguarding lives during Cyclone Montha.