Amid the dry weather conditions, the night temperature is also expected to rise by 2-3 degree Celsius during the next 5 days. The twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack may record 38 degree Celsius each during next 7 days.

The weather agency has also predicted light rain or thundershower at one or two in Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Jajpur and Bhadrak on March 25-26.

In the last 24 hours, Malkangiri was the hottest at 37 degree Celsius, followed by Bhawanipatna, Titlagarh and Boudh at 35.5 degree Celsius each. Bhubaneswar continued to record below normal temperature at 33.8 degree Celsius. The mercury level was slightly above normal in Cuttack, which recorded 33.2 degree Celsius.

The state has also increases the service termination incentive amount from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh. While the decision will benefit 49,522 ASHAs, it will cost the state exchequer an additional Rs 1 48.57 crore annually, a CMO release said.

ASHA workers conduct home visits to educate and support pregnant women. “They have successfully created awareness about various government schemes meant for pregnant and postpartum women. In addition to this, they have been contributing to vaccination and institutional delivery as well,” the release added.

On February 29, the CM announced an increase in the monthly renumeration of Anganwadi workers from Rs 7,500 to Rs 10,000. The exit incentive of Rs 40,000 was also increased to Rs 1 lakh.

On March 2, the monthly remuneration of art instructors and sports teachers of upper primary schools as well as Physically Disabled Education Volunteers Education Volunteers (PHIEV) and multilingual education teachers was also increased. Two days later, the government hiked the monthly salary of Urdu teachers and Urdu resource teachers employed in Upper Primary (UP), Middle English (ME), and government fully-aided and newly-aided high schools of the state from Rs 7,400 to Rs 15,000.

Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, and addressed the employees, and dean-cum-principals of affiliated Medical, and Health Science Institutions of the University. The Odisha University of Health Sciences Act was passed in 2021, and this University was established on 5th March, 2023, and it’s the 17th Health University of the country.

As many as 300 colleges / institutions of the State offering medical, dental, ayurvedic, homoeopathy, nursing, pharmacy and allied paramedical courses have been affiliated to this University from the academic session 2023-24.

State Development Commissioner-Cum-Additional Chief Secretary, Water Resources, and Planning & Convergence Department Anu Garg, Commissioner-Cum- Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department Shalini Pandit, and Commissioner-Cum- Secretary of Higher Education Department Aravind Agarwal addressed the august gathering.

Vice Chancellor Prof Datteswar Hota informed that the University on completion of its first year has attained the objective set by the state to bring all colleges imparting medical and allied health science courses under one University, and to streamline the quality of education in respective field of studies. He also informed that meanwhile the University has instituted 31 number of Under Graduate and Post Graduate Courses offering 91 Specializations including Broad and Super Speciality and have formulated its Regulations in conformity with apex regulatory bodies wherever exists. He further emphasized on the planned research ecosystem in the medical institutions affiliated to the University. He further endorsed the cooperation and support received from the State government departments in operationalizing the University to a functional one.

In his address, the Chief Secretary has lauded for the progress made by the University during this year. He also praised the University authorities working with commitment by giving importance to quality health education. He suggested that the University should act as a regulator to address various challenges faced by the State including climate change health related issues.

In her key note address, the DC-cum-ACS stated that there is a need to provide varieties of useful training and research through this University in coordination with the Department of Higher Education, Department of Skill Development and Technical Education, Department of H&FW, etc., which will greatly benefit the students pursuing health and medical education. He advised the University authorities on different aspects and hopes this University be a Centre of excellence in coming days.

Registrar of the University Santoshi Sahoo presented the Annual Report of the University, and Comptroller of Finance Goutam Pradhan proposed vote of thanks.

According to sources, Subhajit Sahu suffered a seizure attack on Wednesday while appearing for an exam at his school. He was rushed to Capital Hospital here. He was then admitted to an ICU of a nearby private hospital, where he was kept under observation for 72 hours. His condition improved a little after 24 hours. However, he showed no improvement thereafter and his brain subsequently stopped functioning.

His parents told the media that they want create awareness on organ donation by donating his heart, kidneys, eyes, pancreas and liver. “Our boy will not return but his organs can be used to save many lives,” they added.

On March 1, family of an 18-year-old boy decided to donate his kidneys after he succumbed to brain tumour while undergoing treatment at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. Prior to this, parents of two tribal youths, who lost their lives in a road accident, helped illuminate life of others by donating their eyes.

In a first for AIIMS Bhubaneswar, surgeons last month successfully retrieved a liver from a 14-year-old brain-dead girl, Damayanti Mahanta, and then sent it to a hospital in New Delhi through a green corridor. The last rites of Damayanti were performed at Swargadwara in Puri with full state honours on February 24.

Notably, Odisha has been conducting the funeral of organ donors with full state honours to “acknowledge the selfless and heroic contribution”. The initiative was brought into effect by a February 19 notification of the state health and family welfare department, and launched by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone for the transformation of four medical colleges to provide world-class facilities in the state.

The teaching hospitals inaugurated by the CM are – 650-bed Bhima Bhoi Medical College and Hospital at Balangir, 650-bed Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College and Hospital at Baripada, 500-bed Government Medical College and Hospital at Sundargarh, 500-bed Dharni Dhar Medical College and Hospital at Keonjhar and Fakir Mohan Medical College and Hospital with 650 beds in Balasore.

In addition, foundation stones were laid to provide world-class infrastructure in Acharya Harihar Postgraduate Cancer Research Institute at Cuttack, MKCG Medical College and Hospital at Berhampur, Rourkela Government Hospital (RGH) and Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical and Research (VIMSAR) in Burla.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the launch of these facilities marks a milestone in Odisha’s healthcare sector. A total of 2,950 beds were added in five medical college hospitals in a day. More than Rs 2,000 crore has been spent by the state government for this.

People from Balangir to Baripada, Sundargarh to Keonjhar and Balasore will benefit from this.
Stating that people’s confidence in the state’s healthcare system has increase, Naveen said the aim of the government is to provide good treatment and services to the people.

Stating that there were only three government medical colleges in Odisha, the Chief Minister said that in the last six years, eight new medical colleges and two post-graduate institutes have come up. Three more medical colleges are also going to be established in the coming days.

Every year doctors and paramedic staff are recruited. Earlier, the state was producing only 321 MBBS doctors and 254 specialists. Now, 2525 MBBS doctors and 972 specialists are passing out of different medical colleges in the state, he said.

The Chief Minister further said that the 5T initiative has revolutionised the healthcare sector in the state and hospitals are being developed into ‘Ama Hospitals’ for the benefit of the people.

Speaking on the foundation stone laid for transformation of four medical institutions, the CM said more than Rs 3,400 crore will be spent for this.

Highlighting the current healthcare scheme in the state, he said that every life is precious to me. For this, we have implemented various programs in the field of healthcare, starting from Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) . New medical facilities are also being developed in government hospitals. Both the rich and the poor are getting free treatment in government hospitals. He said that we all should take this transformation of the healthcare sector further and strengthen the foundation of new Odisha through ‘healthy Odisha, happy Odisha’.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Niranjan Pujari, who was present at Burla, said that the Chief Minister is improving the health infrastructure of the state to provide the best medical facilities to the people. He said that the healthcare system of the state is being taken to the next stage under the 5T initiative to provide better quality and appropriate medical facilities to the people.

The programme was conducted by 5T and Nabin Odisha Chairman V K Pandian.

“The state has been experiencing hot and humid weather conditions for the last three days. Eighteen places had recorded maximum temperature of 35 degree Celsius or more with Sonepur being the hottest at 36.3 degree Celsius yesterday. The sea winds blowing since morning at a speed of 12-15 kmph is now helping to keep the temperature down,” he said.

He further informed that light rain/thunderstorm is likely at one or places in Coastal Odisha, Dhenkanal, Angul, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Boudh, and Kalahandi till Saturday morning. “Partly cloudy sky is also seen at some places in Keonjhar, Balasore, Koraput and Rayagada districts. Under its influence, the intensity of rain is likely to increase slightly from tomorrow,” he said.

The IMD has forecast light to moderate rain/ thunderstorm at a few places in North Coastal Odisha, Deogarh, Sundargarh, Boudh, Kalahandi and at one or two places in South Coastal Odisha, Rayagada, Khurda, Koraput, Malkangiri on February 24.

Yellow warning of thunderstorm with lightning has also been sounded for one or two places in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Angul, Dhenkanal, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, and Boudh.

Das said that rain is likely to continue for six days following which, dry weather conditions will prevail across the state. There will be no large change in the night temperature during the next 3-4 days, he added.

RAIN FORECAST FOR THE REMAINING DAYS

FEB 25: Light to moderate rain/thunderstorm may occur at one or two places in Coastal Odisha, Khurda, Kalahandi, Boudh, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Koraput, Angul, Dhenkanal, Mayurbhanj, and Keonjhar districts.

FEB 26: Light to moderate rain/ thunderstorm is likely at one or two places in North Odisha, Nuapada , Balangir, Sonepur, and Boudh.

FEB 27: Light to moderate rain/ thunderstorm is also likely at one or two places in North Interior Odisha, Nuapada ,Balangir, Sonepur, and Boudh.

FEB 28: Light to moderate rain/thunderstorm may occur at one or two places in North Coastal Odisha, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Angul, and Dhenkanal districts.

Yellow warning of thunderstorm with lightning has been issued for Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj on February 23 and Angul, Dhenkanal, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Boudh, Keonjhar on February 24.

The state is also likely to experience light to moderate rain till February 28.

RAIN FORECAST

FEB 22: One or two places in Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapada, and Jajpur districts.

FEB 23: One or two places in Coastal Odisha, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Kandhamal, and Rayagada.

FEB 24: A few places in North Coastal Odisha, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Angul, Dhenkanal, Boudh, Sonepur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal and at one or two places in South Coastal Odisha, Rayagada, and Koraput.

FEB 25: One or two places in South Coastal Odisha, Koraput, Malkangiri, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Boudh, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Nabarangpur, and Kalahandi.

FEB 26: One or two places in Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Balasore, Bhadrak, and Jajpur.

FEB 27: One or two places in North Odisha, Khurda, Puri, Boudh, and Sonepur.

FEB 28: One or two places in North Coastal Odisha

Bhubaneswar, which has been recording the highest day temperature in Odisha for the last two days, may witness a slight dip in the mercury levels in the next 3-4 days with partly cloudy sky, thunderstorm and light rain.

The weather agency, however, said that there will be no large change in the night temperature during the next 4-5 days.

The agreement has been signed between the institute’s Centre for Development Management and Communication (CDMC) and the Directorate of State Institute of Health & Family Welfare and Directorate of National Health Mission, Government of Odisha under Professional Development Programme (PDP).

Informing about the programme, Dr Biswajit Modak, Senior Consultant, Training, National Health Mission (NHM)-Odisha told media, “The PDP with CDMC-MICA is a need-based capacity building programme for enhancement of skills on Social and Behaviour Change Communication of counsellors working under NHM, Odisha. PDP will promote positive social and health behaviour changes at community level.”

The first workshop under the programme was conducted from January 29 to February 2, 2024, in which 10 officials were trained in graphic designing, art, photography and communication. The second batch of the training programme will be held in the third week of February.

“We are proud to share that we have fostered partnerships with state governments like Gujarat, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Kerala in the past and now a deep association with the Government of Odisha only reinforces our faith in our mission. This association between CDMC and Government of Odisha involves training programs on various facets of communication of over 100 officials,” told Professor Manisha Pathak Shelat and Professor Ruchi Tewari, co-chairs of CDMC said.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD), however, on Friday said that the minimum temperature is likely to rise by 2-3 degrees in the state during the next 3 days due to dry weather conditions with no large change thereafter.

The weather agency has also forecast shallow to moderate fog in Koraput, Rayagada, Kandhamal, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Angul and South Coastal Odisha till 8.30 am on Sunday.

Notably, very dense fog restricted visibility to 50 metre in Nayagarh this morning. Dense fog was also seen in Puri while Paradip experience shallow to moderate fog.

There is also a forecast for light to moderate rain/thundershower at one or two places in interior Odisha, Balasore and Bhadrak. Dense fog is also likely at one or two places in Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Cuttack, Angul, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Kandhamal, and Boudh during this period, according to the midday bulletin.

Yellow warning of dense fog has also been sounded for one or two places in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Koraput, and Nabarangpur during the subsequent 24 hours.

Dry weather will prevail across the state thereafter with no large change in the night temperature during the next 4-5 days.

The weather agency further said that Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Chandbali, Paradip, Khurda, Angul, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapada experience dense fog on Thursday morning. Shallow to moderate fog was also seen at Baripada and Keonjhar.

Semiliguda in Koraput districts recorded the lowest minimum temperature of 9.7 degree Celsius in the last 24 hours, followed by G Uadayagiri in Kandhamal at 10.5 degree Celsius and Koraput at 12 degree Celsius. The mercury rose to 20.9 degree Celsius in Bhubaneswar and 19.6 degree Celsius in Cuttack.