There was an outrage against the government's move to keep the entire two floors of the South Goa district hospital for private operations, even as the chorus grew for full functionality of the hospital.
Goa Forward Party President and Fatorda MLA said it was criminal to keep the two floors of the hospital out of the purview of Covid care infrastructure, especially when the common Goemkar desperately needs such facilities.
In a letter addressed to the Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, the Fatorda MLA demanded a categorical statement from the minister revealing whether any private hospital or any other private entity will be associated with the hospital.
He also demanded a ‘white paper’ revealing plans for the hospital within 24 hours.
In his letter, Sardesai pointed out that the new building was meant to be a full-fledged 800-bedded district hospital and was planned keeping in mind the future requirements of entire South Goa.
Saying that his constituents from Fatorda have literally sacrificed their land for a song for the hospital project, the MLA said it was his duty to ensure that their sacrifice for the cause of providing the best possible healthcare to the citizens of South Goa does not go waste.
Saying that the neighbouring state of Maharashtra has made available the National Sports Club of India’s prestigious Jumbo Dome at Worli for a 1000-bed Covid facility, Sardesai said it is shameful that the Government of Goa is allowing its citizens to die because it cannot make its own hospital available for their care. “When PM Cares Fund is going to finance two 500-bedded Covid hospitals in Bihar, which is slated to go for polls later this year, why can't you and your Government not get funds to have the full-fledged 800-bedded hospital for the whole district of South Goa ready? Don't you all have any say at the Centre?” he questioned.
Margao MLA Digambar Kamat has demanded a fully functional South district hospital, even as he asserted the need of the hour was people should get the benefit of this healthcare facility.
“With no Covid handling action plan in sight and Health Minister openly admitting that all Covid hospitals were full, it is now clear that the BJP Government in Goa wants to convert every house into containment zone and leave people to the mercy of God,” Kamat charged.
He said this was his final ultimatum to the Government to make the hospital fully operational by utilising every space available inside.
He said the people are pushed into the Covid trap because of the faulty measures and policies of the Government. “The government has not done any preparations to handle the pandemic during the 40-day lockdown period which has resulted in this chaotic situation," he said.
With people being blamed for celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi festival and spreading the virus, Kamat said it is clear that Government is clueless about handling and managing the pandemic.
Even Sardesai shared the sentiments of Digambar and said figures show that Covid cases were increasing before Chaturthi. He said the CM was now trying to place the blame on Chaturthi celebrations for its failure.
