MARGAO
A meeting convened by the district administration to identify Covid vaccination centres in the taluka saw Salcete MLAs expressing their concern over the crisis like situation and suggested a host of measures to contain the pandemic.
Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat, Navelim MLA Luizinho Faleiro, Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai, Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco, Cuncolim MLA Clafacio Dias and Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao and Nuvem MLA Wilfred D’Sa were invited for the meeting by Deputy Collector, Jyoti Kumari to discuss the vaccination centres before the commencement of vaccination exercise for 18 years and above.
The MLAs, however, took the opportunity to convey their distress over the spread of Covid cases like wild fire in the taluka and the steps required to be initiated on priority.
Almost all the MLAs conveyed their sentiments to the authorities as the hospitals have run short of beds, oxygen and other facilities for the patients.
Navelim MLA Luizinho Faleiro said pained by the unfolding scenario, the MLAs have suggested a mass vaccination drive be taken up on a war-footing. “There is no time to lose, because public lives are at stake. There is an acute shortage of hospital beds, ventilators, oxygen, ICU beds, ambulances and medical staff. I have suggested that appropriate measures be taken under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, immediately and new vaccination centres opened at following locations to protect people in Navelim constituency,” Faleiro added.
Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai told deputy Collector Jyoti Kumari that “the State needs to direct immediate action to safeguard the citizens and residents of Goa.”
He suggested setting up of a Covid command centre, suggestion that a mobile application or an online dashboard should be immediately made accessible to the people providing key information of hospital beds, oxygen supply, vaccine centres and any other Covid-19 resources.
Sardesai also stressed the importance of making data accessible to people rather than cause panic and fear and put people at the mercy of politicians who are keen to peddle political favours for the lifesaving requirements.
Saying it is the responsibility of the deputy collector to ensure none of the government led Covid-19 efforts are politicised under any party banner or logo, he pointed out certain individuals are flaunting party logos to promote State-wide Covid support. Vijai warned that “if Covid-led initiatives are politicised, it would be the responsibility of the deputy collector to implement action under the Epidemics Diseases Act, 1897, and the Disaster Management Act of 2005.”
