Bhubaneswar: Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling on Thursday outlined special initiatives to safeguard pregnant women and bolster emergency medical response as flooding affects parts of Odisha. ADVERTISEMENTMahaling highlighted that shifting pregnant women remains one of the biggest operational challenges for health teams in flood situations. “Key challenges during floods include moving pregnant women to safe locations and transporting them to hospitals. Chief District Medical Officers and District Magistrates have been instructed to closely monitor the flood situation and immediately provide emergency relief, medical care, and essential supplies…,” he told reporters. She also called for shifting expectant mothers nearing delivery to facilities when needed and ensuring ambulance support even in cut-off zones.