PANAJI
The 21st meeting of the Expert Committee on Covid was held on Wednesday at Van Bhavan Altinho under the chairmanship of Health Minister Vishwajit Rane instead of GMC dean Dr Shivanand Bandekar, who is the chairman of the Expert Committee. The meeting, attended by many doctors and paediatricians across Goa decided upon the future course of action if the Covid infection cases rise and children get affected, especially, as the schools have reopened on offline mode.
More stress was given on the vaccination and the booster or precautionary doses for all above 18 as early as possible, and especially for the elderly. Also, eligible children between 12 to 18 years of age were requested to take their first or second dose.
“After interacting with doctors in the State we see that the numbers are still very small, but the whole idea is to interact and see what is to be done, what are the types of symptoms people get and ultimately understand that there is no reason why people of Goa should panic,” said Health Minister, adding that today’s meeting was not to create any sensation in the minds of the people of Goa, but it was to see what is the level of vaccination in the students and also to access and appeal to the people to take precaution, wear their masks in public places and the elderly should take their booster doses if they are eligible for it.
Pointing out that the government cannot always bring rule and regulations, but each person should take care of himself or herself, especially in a State that has highest literacy rate in the country. “If there are elders in the family, it is the responsibility of the people in the family to bring their elders at the vaccination centre. Government is providing the vaccines free. It is also available in some private hospitals. Those who are eligible for the precautionary dose, should come forward to take it. As the immunity of every person is different, the virus may act differently in the people above 60 or 65 years of age, than any younger person. It can lead to mortality in few cases, so it is important to take the precautionary dose,” said the minister.
Rane also stressed on the need to vaccinate children between the age of 12 to 14. The department of Health will allow a few private paediatric clinics to give vaccines. Assuring that there would not be any shortage of beds, Rane stated that the present Covid-19 infection effects are mild and isolation period for the patients is five days.
After the Covid Task Force meeting Rane said, “It is our duty to provide the infrastructure and facilities, if at least 50 people come together, we can send our team and get them vaccinated.” He further appealed, “Wear masks, follow Covid guidelines. It is the responsibility of every family to make sure that their elders take precautionary dose as virus acts differently on different patients.”
The meeting was attended by Dean Dr Shivanand Bandekar, Dr Geeta Kakodkar, director, DHS, Dr Rajendra Borkar, Dr Utkarsh Betodkar, Dr Shekhar Salkar, Dr Shivanand Gauns, Dr Rajeshwar Naik, Dr Virendra Gaonkar, Dr Usgaonkar, Dr Harshad Kamat, Dr Vinayak Buvaji, Dr Vaishali, Dr Khemani etc.
