Porvorim
Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte has demanded that the new building of Goa Medical College and Hospital at Bambolim be converted into an exclusive Covid-19 hospital given the rising COVID-19 cases in the State.
Khaunte stated that the COVID-19 cases in Goa are rising purely due to the mismanagement by the state administration.
"Considering the daily increase in COVID cases in Goa, reserving few wards of GMC for Covid patients would not suffice the purpose. Hence the government must immediately consider utilising the new building of GMC for COVID patients similar to South Goa District Hospital, and hand over the management of this new Hospital to Army corps if required. The existing hospital should be retained exclusively for the treatment of other medical ailments," Khaunte said.
Regarding rates fixed for private hospitals for treatment of Covid-19 patients, Khaunte voiced that they are quite high and beyond the reach of the common man. "If required, the government should invoke the Disaster Management Act to cap the rates charged at private hospitals for treatment of COVID patients. Under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 government has powers to act in all conditions as this pandemic has been identified as a disaster," said Khaunte.
Khaunte suggested that Covid-19 treatment should be covered under the Dayanand Social security scheme to enable COVID patients to take treatment in private hospitals... This will reduce the burden on the government hospitals, Khaunte added.
Khaunte alleged that the as per the information presented to him by reliable sources, Medical Officer Dr Sikander Talwar was transferred from Porvorim Primary Health Centre to Sanguem Primary Health Centre as he could not attend the online meeting with the Chief Minister. "This is not fair, doctors are COVID warriors and such transfers during a pandemic will demotivate them. The chief minister should have a broader mind to handle the situation. Porvorim PHC needs a full-time doctor given the rising cases in Porvorim," said Khaunte.
