GUILHERME ALMEIDA
MARGAO
Now at least, will the government complete the long-delayed 800-bedded South Goa district hospital so that health agencies can fall back on it if the situation warrants in the battle against Coronavirus?
This question is doing the rounds in the health circles, even as the Directorate of Health Services has set up isolation wards in the crumbling TB hospital atop Monte Hill and has taken over two floors of the ESI hospital, Margao, to quarantine passengers landing at the Dabolim airport.
Deputy Director, Health and Hospicio medical superintendent, Dr Ira Almeida, says the South district hospital will always remain an option if the building is provided with water and power connections.
On the other hand, Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) General Manager Jude Carvalho says the GSIDC has already dashed off a letter to the Directorate of Health Services stating that the Corporation would officially hand over the hospital building by April 15.
He, however, hastened to add that the water and power connections to the hospital building can be given to the hospital, even going to the extent saying water supply will start within this week.
As far as power connection is concerned, Jude pointed out that the building can be provided with power supply along with water after paying some prescribed fees to the department.
“The GSIDC is all set to hand over the South Goa district hospital building to the Directorate of Health Services. All the equipment is here. Even the compressors have arrived and it’s just a question of days before it is put in place,” he said.
Jude, however, said the installation of some of the equipment has been delayed because of Covid-19 as the experts, including engineers, could not come down to Goa,” he said, adding “we now expect this technical manpower and expertise to arrive latest by March 31.”
To a question, Jude said the South district hospital can indeed be utilized by the authorities in the fight against coronavirus. “The building is almost ready. The power and water connections can be issued within days. Only the installation of the equipment may take some time as it would depend on the arrival of the technical persons,” he added.
To another question, the GSIDC senior official pointed out that the Health Services has taken up the responsibility to supply the beds and other medical equipment to the hospital.
The Health Services has presently taken over a portion of the ESI hospital, Margao, and has created a facility to accommodate around 90 persons at a time. Similarly, the space at the TB Hospital atop Monte Hill has been utilized to set up three isolation wards to quarantine persons.
When asked whether the Health Services could fall back on the district hospital under construction if the situation warrants, Deputy Health Director, Dr Ira Almeida, replied in the positive. She, however, hastened to add that the Health Services can think of utilizing the hospital building to meet the emergencies provided water and power connection are supplied to the building.
A senior official wondered if China could put in place makeshift hospitals within days, why can’t the state government get the agencies and contractors complete the district building work immediately for emergency use in the wake of coronavirus.
