By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: Flagging off new blood collection and vaccine vans for different regions in Odisha, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday said these vans will enhance services in the remote areas. CM Patnaik launched two vans for Kendujhar district and one each for Angul, Jharsuguda & Kandhamal districts. Health and Family Welfare and Finance Minister Niranjan Pujari , 5T Secretary VK Pandian , Health Secretary Smt Salini Pandit, MD medical corporation Ms D Brunda and other senior officials were among those present.
CM Patnaik also flagged off 10 Insulated Vaccine Vans. While one van will serve at the State Vaccine Store, nine other vans will serve at nine regional vaccine stores namely, Baleswar, Balangir, Berhampur, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Koraput, Phulbani, Sambalpur and Sundargarh.
Insulated vaccine vans play a very important role in transportation of temperature sensitive vaccines from high level vaccine stores to field level stores and immunization points. Cold chain system of all vaccines at all levels is crucial for Universal Immunization Programme.
Odisha has 1 State Vaccine Store, 32 District Vaccine Stores and 1190 Cold Chain Points for the safe storage of vaccines.
Currently, there are 56 blood banks and 14 mobile blood collection vans in the State including these 5. More mobile collection vans will be added to existing strength.
As a part of the life-saving measures and in order to increase voluntary blood collection in remote areas, blood collection vans are being supplied to different health facilities.
