Camp held for families to handle Covid cases, deaths in homes

Former Velsao panch and social worker Roquezinho D'Souza organised the camp by inviting South Goa District Hospital (SGDH) Nodal Officer Dr Rajesh Patil, gynaecologist Dr Shraddha Patil at the Velsao Panchayat Hall.

D’Souza also made available Family Protection Kits (FPK), comprising a PPE kit, 4 pairs of hand gloves, 4 surgical masks, a face shield, a sanitiser bottle and a body bag, for about 40 needy families of Velsao.

Speaking to reporters, D’Souza said he decided to hold the awareness camp after receiving complains from ambulance drivers that some family members were hesitant to help shift Covid patients, fearing their would contract the infection.

“Dr Rajesh Patil and his wife, Dr Shradha Patil, conducted the awareness camp for residents and highlighted ways to manage the situation using protective gear, to prevent the infection spreading to other family members,” said D’Souza.

“I also prepared FPKs and offered them to the Panchayat, to be given to people who have Covid deaths reported in their houses," said D’Souza.

SGDH Nodal Officer Dr Rajesh Patil appreciated D'Souza for making available family isolation and protection kits.

“When a Covid death occurs, many family members are scared to handle the body and these FPKs can be of great help for families to handle such situations,” he said.

Dr Rajesh Patil said in case of a Covid-related death, one person can wear a PPE kit and other families members can wear masks and gloves to handle the dead body and shift it in a coffin or hearse van and use it even in a cremation/burial ground.

“The protective gear can then be disposed off at the crematorium, graveyard or cemetery in a proper biomedical way. This will offer security and protection, while also giving people a chance to see the body of their near and dear one one last time,” he said.

D'Souza had earlier provided free ambulance services for the people of Velsao.