The decision to operationalise the new South Goa District Hospital as the third Covid hospital by September 11 is a belated but welcome move that could go a long way in the treatment of critical Covid cases. However, the sudden hurry shown is baffling, especially when all along the government dragged its feet in opening the new hospital as a Covid centre.
The hospital is yet to be granted a few NOCs, and the logistics are still not in place, including beds. While, complying with formalities is a technicality, there is no clarity about recruiting trained medical staff and paramedics, especially at a time when there is a shortfall witnessed at Margao, Ponda and GMC hospital.
On the face of it, the 250 beds at the District Hospital could provide a big relief to patients, especially at a time when there is huge burden on the existing Covid hospital at the ESI premises. But what is the government trying to prove now with this sudden decision when people’s agony and pain have been blatantly ignored till now?
On Tuesday, Goa recorded its highest death toll of 11, and no matter how best senior doctors try to explain the rising casualties, the fact remains that there was always a need to expand facilities, especially because of high co-morbidities and critical cases. The sad irony is that the government failed to take timely cognizance of spike in deaths and preferred to make adjustments within the existing facilities. The 60-bedded ESI hospital was turned into a 220-bedded Covid hospital, with periodic capacity enhancements.
The recently opened GMC Covid wards have been overflowing with hordes of people walking in. Patients have no option but spend time sleeping on floors, stretchers and even on chairs till a bed is available. There’s no immediate medical help at hand, and nobody cares here. How could a government keep mum and watch citizens go through such agony, especially when there is ready hospital space available?
While announcing the new Covid hospital, in a tweet, the CM said that his government is committed to providing better treatment and medical facilities to the people of Goa. But why did this thought not come up earlier when people were still struggling? The health minister took refuge from a technicality that Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation is yet to hand over the premises. Why was GSIDC made a scapegoat?
There's no denying the fact that people look forward to healthcare facilities, but merely opening Covid hospitals will not help the cause. Equally important is to deploy Covid-trained nurses, caretakers and medical staff, including doctors. Lest we forget, the Covid hospital at Margao, until early August, has been a house of horror for many patients and fell woefully short of medical staff. Doctors and nurses posted on duty, including Dr Edwin Gomes, were forced to work non-stop over long durations.
Hope the government doesn’t make a symbolic opening of the third Covid hospital, but sticks to its word of providing better healthcare to Goans in its true sense.
There's no denying the fact that people look forward to healthcare facilities, but merely opening Covid hospitals will not help the cause. Equally important is to deploy Covid-trained nurses, caretakers and medical staff, including doctors
