Odisha: Women On The Frontline In The Fight Against COVID-19

Women of Odisha are proactively fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic. Women across major positions in the government and various women working with NGOs have played instrumental roles. Read on to know more about them.

Key Takeaways

• Odisha’s top medical institutes that are responsible for COVID-19 testing are being led by women.
• Women in bureaucratic positions are helping to contain the spread of the infections.
• Many women nurses, Anganwadi workers, healthcare workers and sanitation workers have been playing crucial roles in this fight against the pandemic.
• More than 600 SHGs have successfully produced over 15 lakh cotton masks and 7000 SHGs are working to feed the homeless.
• Odisha was the first state to impose a complete lockdown and also the first state to extend its lockdown till April 30.
• CM of the state has expressed relief over how the number of new COVID-19 cases in Odisha are now going down.

Women leaders of Odisha fight the pandemic

The organisations which are conducting tests for coronavirus infections are headed by women. The Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC) is running under Sanghamitra Pati, AIIMS Bhubaneswar is being led under the expertise of Gitanjali Batmanabane and Cuttak’s SCB hospital is being headed by Jayashree Mohanty.

IAS officer, Yamini Sarangi is leading the Odisha State Medical Corporation Ltd as a Managing Director in these tough times. She is responsible for obtaining medicines, equipment, gears and other tools important for healthcare workers and institutes. Also, the mission director of the National Health Mission, Shalini Pandit is coordinating health responses and surveillance in the state. She is a senior bureaucrat working under Odisha’s Health and Family Welfare department. Pandit is also responsible for sample collection and testing.

The issues of migrant workers across the country has exacerbated amidst the prolonged lockdown. Hence Anu Garg, the secretary of the Labour Department of Odisha has been coordinating and contacting counterparts from other states to ensure the safety of these workers.

Furthermore, there are many other women nurses, anganwadi workers, healthcare workers and sanitation workers who have been playing crucial roles in this fight against the pandemic. They risk their lives as they fight on the frontlines against the pandemic.

Work of SHGs in the pandemic

Mission Shakti under the leadership of Sujata Kartikeyan has initiated SHGs across Odisha. These SHGs have started production of masks in bulk. It was reported that more than 600 SHGs have successfully produced 15 lakh cotton masks. Members of other SHGs proactively took responsibility to feed the homeless and destitute during the lockdown. About 7,000 SHGs are reportedly involved in the former task.

Latest situation of COVID-19 infections in Odisha

Odisha was the first state to impose a complete lockdown. It was also was the first state to extend its lockdown till April 30. Major towns of Odisha including the capital Bhubaneshwar were shut down before a nation-wide lockdown was announced. Also, the CM of the state has expressed relief over how the number of new COVID-19 cases in Odisha are now going down. Odisha has made 20 COVID-19 hospitals operational.  Also, there are reports that 15 more hospitals will be ready soon.

Also Read: 5 Things I Am Grateful For Amidst The Coronavirus Lockdown

Vipashyana Dubey is an intern with ShethePeople