PANAJI
Speaking about the infrastructural preparedness of the government to tackle the second Covid wave, CM Sawant said that the super-specialty block at GMC will be operationalised as a 200-bedded Covid Hospital latest by May 10.
“All Covid Care Centres which were operational last year have been activated including SAI Hostel in Peddem, Pednem stadium, Fatorda stadium, Bambolim stadium, and Keshav Seva Sadhna at Bicholim. We are also collaborating with Indian Medical Association-Goa to strengthen our home-isolation system,” CM said.
The Health Department has also operationalized one mobile RT-PCR testing van at GMC.
Interestingly, he insisted that the government has sufficient stock of anti-viral drug Remdesivir as well as medical oxygen. Without going into the details, CM stated, “Oxygen shortage is a rumour. I am monitoring it on a personal level. Four agencies are supplying liquid oxygen in Goa and the central government will allocate more very soon.”
Health Minister Rane added that while planning the requirement per patient, the Health Department never anticipated this spike in Covid cases while assuring that the allotment has increased now.
The state government has asked private hospitals to communicate their requirement of Remdesivir and ventilators on loan basis via email to the Dean of GMC.
Lastly, giving in to the constant demand from all corners for transparency in real-time data about bed availability and oxygen availability, the government announced that Public Information Officers will soon be deputed at each Covid Hospital for the general public to know the status of occupancy over a toll-free number.
