By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, April 1, 2020: With doctors demanding protective gear to fight against Covid-19 and sharp rise in the number of coronavirus positive patients in the country, the Odisha government has asked the centre to provide Covid-19 testing kits without delay.

The demand for more kits has been made to the Central Cabinet Secretary by the Odisha Government via video conferencing. The chief Secretary, Development Commissioner, DG Police, Police Commissioner and Departmental Secretaries were present in the said meeting.

A group of doctors from Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) has demanded the proper supply of personal protective equipment (PPE). Doctors and paramedics have expressed concerns over the acute shortage of PPE, stating that they were at risk while carrying out their duties.

The Odisha government had announced to give four months’ advance salary to doctors as incentive to encourage them in taking care of Covid-19 patients. But they turned down the four months’ advance salary saying that they need life protecting materials for the doctors and paramedical staff like N95 masks, sanitisers, PPE kit (goggles, boot covers and gowns), which are very essential to fight the coronavirus.

The Odisha Medical Service Association has also maintained that personal protective equipment are very essential to fight the outbreak. “Instead of supporting us by giving four months advance salary, we need life protecting materials for the doctors and paramedical staff like N95 masks, sanitisers, PPE kit (goggles, boot covers and gowns), which are very essential to fight the coronavirus,” said OMSA president Narayan Rout.

The State government admitted that PPE was short in supply. But with the arrival of the kits and life protecting materials here on Tuesday, the government hopes to rope in more doctors to fight against Covid-19.