MARGAO
With the commencement of the new fishing season, the health department has deployed a team of health workers at the Cutbona fishing jetty to conduct screening of the migrant labourers descending at the jetty.
While the Primary Health Centre, Balli was carrying out the screening exercise every alternate day before the commencement of the fishing season, the exercise is now being conducted at the jetty every day by the health workers.
While the team will carry out the job in the premises at the fisheries department complex, sources said the responsibility of getting the migrant crew for screening rests with the fisheries officials posted at the jetty.
Senior health officials pointed out that they cannot go around the jetty to get the migrants for the screening, adding that the fisheries department should coordinate with the health team by getting the labourers to the complex.
The issue of screening of labourers and sanitation facilities were reviewed at a meeting held at the Cutbona fishing jetty on Wednesday. The meeting was attended by PHC Balli Health Officer Dr Tulsimamta Kakodkar, Fisheries Officer Joel Diniz, GOACAN Co-ordinator Roland Martins, PHC Sanitary Inspector Laxmikant Pagi, Convenor Velim Civic & Consumer Forum Ramona Almeida and Shreeniwas Jha Area Incharge Sulabh International.
The meeting reviewed the current pace of screening of workers from the Cutbona Jetty and preparation of Health Cards.
The challenge of getting maximum labourers screened for Vector Borne Diseases was also discussed, with health officials saying support from the fisheries officials by getting the labourers to the health workers will go a long way in covering the migrant work force.
The cleanliness of the Jetty was discussed and it was resolved to examine the quantum of dry waste being generated from the kiosks near the Jetty.
The meeting further decided to consider the screening of the workers mending fish nets and loaders to protect them from vector borne diseases.
After much discussions, it was finally decided that by 15th August a preliminary report on the status of setting up the toilet block, mobile toilets and STP will be sought and Action Taken Report from the Jetty Management Committee will be submitted to the Deputy Collector Salcete for further action.
