MARGAO
Hazard a guess why the Covid care centres proposed at Margao, Fatorda, Cuncolim and Varca are yet to start treating Covid positive patients?
While the beds for the Covid care centres proposed at Margao and Cuncolim are all ready, the government is yet to draft health workers, including doctors, nurses and paramedics to attend to the patients.
Sources pointed out that these Covid centres will not start functioning until health personnel are deputed by the government.
The Margao Municipal Council had proposed two 25-bedded Covid care centres, one at the Manohar Parrikar indoor stadium and the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, Fatorda. While the MMC has arranged 25 beds at the Manohar Parrikar indoor stadium, the MMC is expected to receive 25 beds for the Nehru stadium on Tuesday.
Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes, however, was categorical in saying that the two Covid care centres will start functioning only after the MMC receives the healthcare workers from the government. “Since the health of the patients is involved, we will start the COVID care centres only after received the manpower”, he said, ,adding that the Municipality has started receiving aid in support of the two Covid care centres.
The Chief Officer’s initiative to get the IMA depute some of its doctors has still not received the desired support. Agnelo said that he had made an appeal to the IMA, but is yet to receive any reply till date.
At Cuncolim, the absence of health manpower has kept on hold the functioning of the Covid care centre at the Cuncolim Commercial complex. After Cuncolim MLA Clafacio Dias made a plea to the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to sanction a Covid care centre for Cuncolim, Balli Primary Health Officer Dr Mamta Kakodkar had dispatched a detailed proposal to the Director of Health services, including requisition for doctors and nurses, but the Health centre is yet to receive a positive reply from the head office.
The Covid care centres proposed at Varca and Colva by Benaulim MLA Churchil Alemao have failed to take off for want of healthcare workers.
Churchill pointed out that the two Covid care centres will start functioning only the government sanction the manpower requirements. “Since the Covid care centres will cater to the patients, it is imperative that these centres are equipped with all facilities, including doctors and nurses”, he said.
