PANAJI
In a renewed attempt to catch up with the advanced Covid management strategies of other Indian states, Goa government finally launched the much-awaited "Covid-19 home isolation monitoring kit” on Friday ironically at an event hosted at a five-star hotel in Panaji.
Unveiling the kit branded with their own images, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and the Health Minister announced that the kit will be provided to all Covid-19 patients under home isolation from Saturday onwards with the aim of reducing the Covid mortality rate in Goa.
The kit comprises a digital thermometer, an oximeter, a hand sanitizer, N95 mask, gloves and prophylaxis which includes Vitamin C and D tablets, ivermectin and doxycycline and hydroxychloroquine tablets.
The plan was announced by Health Minister Rane on September 11 following which, he has also declared that his department will induct multi-purpose health workers (MPHWs) and auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs) who will be posted round the clock at every Primary Health Center, Community Health Centre and Urban Health Centre to reach out to the patients under home isolation and to impart crucial knowledge on the usage of this kit.
Highlighting the need to seek timely medical care, CM Sawant once again sought to lay the blame on citizens for the rise in Covid deaths. He pointed out that while 95 per cent of the 491 Covid deaths in Goa have occurred due to comorbid conditions, the remaining five per cent were a result of “the delay from the patient's side”.
Driving home this point, Dean of Goa Medical College and Hospital Dr SM Bandekar stated, “We have over 37,000 confirmed cases so far and cases are rising. Home isolation would be the game changer for Goa. Some patients report very late to the hospital. They should be identified and they should report in time and not in advanced stages. Asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic suddenly become severe cases and that is when we lose these patients. This kit should help them in monitoring themselves and report to the hospital at the right time.”
He explained that the kit also made financial sense. “With this kit, we will spend Rs 2,000 on each home isolating patient. Otherwise, when we admit a patient in severe condition, we almost spend Rs 18,000 for remdesivir and Rs 8,000 to 16,000 for plasma therapy,” the GMC Dean said.
