HEALTH INDICATORS IN ALL 10 DISTRICTS OF SOUTH ODISHA WORST IN STATE

A meeting-cum-workshop of the district Collectors and CDMOs of south Odisha was held in Berhampur on Friday to evolve suitable mechanisms for strengthening the health indicators of these districts. The meeting, presided over by RDC (Southern) Bikash Chandra Mahapatra, was attended by Collectors and Chief District Medical Officers of 10 districts.

Among others, Secretary of Health & FW Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra, NRHM Director of Roopa Mishra and Special Secretary of Health Nalinikanta Das participated in the meeting. The workshop discussed formulation of suitable mechanisms to strengthen and revamp the health indicators which are dormant in these districts compared to the State’s other districts.

South Odisha 

Among other issues, how to reduce the infant and maternal mortality rates figured prominently. The State Government has evolved a three-year action plan under which district Collectors are directed to review the works of the officers of the concerned departments on these issues and submit their progress reports every month.

Health Secretary Mohapatra told the media that the conditions of health indicators of the southern districts are worse compared to all other districts. The Collectors and CDMOs of the districts were adkec to find out the reasons behind the high infant and maternal mortality rates. They were also instructed to ensure effective implementation of the immunisation, delivery, family planning programmes to achieve the target of Millennium Gold-2017.

He informed that the State Finance Department and the MCI have agreed to increase the intake of the MKCG Medical College from 200 to 250 MBBS students from the coming academic session. The MKCG is soon going to have a Super Speciality Block at a cost of `350 crore out of which the State would pay `150 crore. L&T has been entrusted the work which is to be completed in 18 months.

About the Government’s failure to check Gutkha, Mahapatra said that only one Gutkha unit, which was in operation in Brahmapur, has been sealed and the Commercial Tax Department has been asked to keep a strict vigil on check-gates as Gutkha is being illegally pushed to Odisha from other States.

The firms producing water pouch without permission would face action, he cautioned. He was shocked to know from the scribes that there are about 100 such firms operating illegally in Brahmapur. Source: The Pioneer

Lilium cultivation goes commercial in State

Lilium plants being grown by farmers in Ganjam district

Lilium, an exotic flower, is being commercially cultivated for the first time in the State by the flower cultivators of Ganjam and Kandhamal districts.

Till now lilium was being brought to the State from Bangalore and New Delhi. But now those cultivating the lilium flower are planning to send their produce to Bangalore for a good price. Each stick of lilium costs around Rs. 25. In peak marketing season, its price may raise up to Rs. 50 per stick, say the flower growers.

First stock of the produce of lilium in Ganjam district was sent to Bangalore on Tuesday. It was produced in the poly-house of Sridhar Verma, the president of Ganjam District Flower Growers’ Association.

According to him, till now demand for lilium is not high in the State, but it is a sought-after flower in metropolitan cities. So, lilium produce of Ganjam and Kandhamal district would have a ready-made market outside the State, he says.

More than 40 flower growers in Ganjam district have started commercial cultivation of lilium for the first time this winter. Some of them have selected poly-houses for its cultivation like Mr. Verma, while others are cultivating it in the open.

The Horticulture Department in the State has decided to promote cultivation of lilium for the first time during the current winter. “Its cultivation was first tested in the centre of excellence of the Horticulture Department in Bhubaneswar. Ganjam has been chosen for launch of its commercial cultivation as flower cultivation continues to be done on commercial basis in an organised manner in the area. Kandhamal has been chosen as its climate suits cultivation of this exotic flower,” says Mr. Verma. The selected flower growers of the districts have been provided training regarding its cultivation at the centre of excellence in Bhubaneswar.

Three colours

Lilium is mostly cultivated in Netherlands. Each year new breeds that bear flowers of new colours of lilium get introduced by horticulturists. But in the State, three colours of lilium have been introduced for cultivation. These breeds are most sturdy and have ready made market. Liliums of yellow, pink and white are being cultivated in Ganjam and Kandhamal districts now.

As per botanists, lilium can be cultivated where average temperature does not exceed 25 degree C. So, this exotic flower can only be cultivated during the winter months providing a source of good income to flower growers. Source: The Hindu