Bhubaneswar, Oct 28: As part of its cyclone preparedness measures, the Odisha Health and Family Welfare Department has issued detailed guidelines to ensure uninterrupted medical services and safeguard vulnerable populations, particularly expectant mothers.

According to the directive, pregnant women nearing delivery have been relocated to maternity homes, health centers, and hospitals to ensure timely access to care.

Hospitals have been instructed to install diesel generator sets and inverters to maintain power supply during outages. Adequate stocks of essential medicines—including anti-venom injections, saline, ORS, halogen tablets, bleaching powder, and other life-saving drugs—have been secured in advance.

Moreover, ambulance services have been directed to maintain sufficient diesel reserves to ensure 24x7 emergency response. Dry food and necessary supplies for patients have also been stocked at key locations.

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On the other hand, all leaves for medical staff have been cancelled, and personnel have been asked to report for duty immediately. Officials confirmed that staff have now joined their respective field postings.

Ambulance service providers have pledged uninterrupted 24-hour service throughout the cyclone period. So far, more than 200 pregnant women have been successfully relocated and are receiving safe maternal care, said a senior official.