PANAJI
In continuation with the announcement designating the South Goa District Hospital (SGDH) as the third Covid Hospital for the state of Goa, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Tuesday announced that the facility is scheduled to be operationalized by September 11 with 250 beds.
Rane made the announcement following a meeting with all top officials from his department, which was convened to discuss the functionality of SGDH as Goa’s third Covid Hospital.
In attendance were Health Secretary Nila Mohanan, Dean of Goa Medical College and Hospital Dr Shivanand Bandekar, Acting Health Director Dr Geeta Kakodkar, Medical Superintendent of SGDH Dr Deepa Correia, Dr Sunanda Amonkar, Dr Rajesh Patil and Dr Mohandas Pednekar.
“We aim to operationalize the SGDH as a Covid Hospital by September 11 with 250 beds. GMC and DHS will have an integrated team to work at the third Covid Hospital which will comprise a pool of medical officers, expert doctors, nurses and multi-tasking staff. Two round-the-clock GVK EMRI ambulances will be deployed at SGDH for shifting of critical patients to ESI Covid Hospital or GMC, when required,” Rane said.
He further added that critical Covid-19 patients will continue to be treated at GMC, moderate patients at ESI Covid Hospital and mild patients will be handled at SDH-Ponda.
Meanwhile, the Health Minister also stated that in view of bed shortage, all non-elective surgeries will be put on hold and old Hospicio will be reverted to its duties as a district hospital.
Similarly, with the aim of reducing burden on the medical teams working tirelessly at various locations, final year nursing students will now be deployed at non-Covid health care centers. On the other hand, all experienced nurses will be deployed exclusively on Covid duty. Also, as per the direction of MCI, final year MBBS students will be deployed as residents.
“We shall continue to treat critical Covid patients at GMC, moderate Covid patients at ESIC and mild Covid patients at SGDH or SDH-Ponda. A time-table for rotation of healthcare workers to be jointly decided by GMC and DHS,” Rane concluded.
Challenges ahead for new Covid hospital
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK
>> GMC & DHS to have an integrated team to work at the third Covid Hospital
>> To comprise a pool of medical officers, expert doctors, nurses and multi-tasking staff
>> Two round-the-clock GVK EMRI ambulances to be deployed at SGDH for shifting of critical patients to ESI Covid Hospital or GMC
>> A provision of 250 beds has been made at the South Goa District Hospital
