OLD GOA
Moves have been initiated to convert the Mandur rural, health and training centre (RHTC) into a dedicated Covid health care centre (DCHC), in anticipation of the third Covid wave, even as infrastructural facilities are yet to be upgraded at the RHTC.
A department order to this effect was issued by head of department (HOD), Department of Community Medicine, GMC on August 11.
In the order, copy of which is in possession of The Goan, directions have been issued to Mandur RHTC incharge Dr Delia D’Souza and RHTC medical services upgradation incharge Dr Somnath Perni to make the RHTC operational as a dedicated Covid DCHC by August 14, while retaining non Covid essential services.
Currently, the RHTC offers OPD services like gynaecology, ophthalmology, psychiatry, orthopaedic, paediatric, etc to the villagers of Mandur and surrounding villages.
However, the order has put the RHTC authorities in a quandary over its compliance, due to lack of infrastructural facilities to run both the DCHC and non Covid essential services.
Sources close to the RHTC authorities informed that it is suggested that the non Covid essential services be shifted to the old hostel.
“The old hostel is currently being used only to conduct antigen tests for Covid and it cannot be used to house the non Covid essential services as it is in a dilapidated condition,” the sources stated.
“Further, the PAC plant as well as the oxygen pipeline is yet to be installed at the RHTC,” the sources added,
Attempts by The Goan to contact the GMC Dean as well as the HOD, Department of Community Medicine for their say in the matter proved futile.
