Bhubaneswar: The 200 bedded exclusive Coronavirus (COVID-19) hospital at Nabarangpur, funded by National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) has been inaugurated by Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik on Monday via video conferencing. Union Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Steel Dharmendra Pradhan and Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines Pralhad Joshi also joined the inaugural event from New Delhi.

Showing commitment and solidarity with the home state in the fight against Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, NALCO is funding for developing this dedicated hospital and also supporting the operational cost. This 200-bedded hospital facility includes a 10 bedded ICU with oximetry along with 24-hour diagnostic facility etc to provide round the clock facilities to the patients. The hospital, located in the southern part of the state will be extremely beneficial for the undivided Koraput district with high tribal population and help in combating COVID-19 cases.

"As a responsible corporate citizen, we are extending all possible support to both the state and union government for combating COVID-19" NALCO, CMD Sridhar Patra

Earlier, PSU Watch had reported that a tripartite agreement was signed among NALCO, district administration and Christian Hospital, Nabarangpur for developing the infrastructure for the Hospital.

NALCO's CMD Sridhar Patra said, "As a responsible corporate citizen, we are extending all possible support to both the state and union government for combating COVID-19. Apart from funding, we are also undertaking various activities like sanitization of public places and plant areas, distribution of dry ration to district administration and supply of sanitizing materials to Police stations in and around the plant areas".

"Amid Coronavirus (COVID-19 crisis), NALCO's all units are operating with reduced manpower and contributing to the national economy," the company said in a statement.