VASCO
The Salgaoncar Medical Research Center (SMRC) began a Covid vaccination drive for residents of Mormugao taluka.
According to SMRC Medical Superintendent Dr Anil Mehndiratta, around 120 people had been vaccinated in barely 24 hours.
"We vaccinated 80 persons today and 40 persons on Tuesday. We had to close down because the government had given offline permission till 5 pm. From Thursday onwards, the government wants us to be on an online platform and people will have to register and come," said Dr Mehndiratta.
"We began the vaccination drive on Tuesday at 4.30 pm and closed at 7.30 pm. We began the vaccination at the request of DHS at very short notice since Tuesday. We are offering the vaccine at Rs 250, of which Rs 150 goes to the Government of India and Rs 100 is retained by the hospital," said Dr Mehndiratta.
When contacted, Dr Vivek Pillai of Chicalim Sub District Hospital said around 200 people were vaccinated on Wednesday.
"Around 112 senior citizens were vaccinated and around 96 healthcare workers were given a second dose of the vaccine. We had vaccinated around 152 on Tuesday and 74 on Monday," said Dr Pillai.
Meanwhile, social worker Roquezinho D'Souza, who received the vaccine on Wednesday, appealed to people to make the most of the facility made available by the health department and appreciated the move of roping in private hospitals.
"The Primary Health Centre at Cansaulim has started from Tuesday and people from as far as Betalbatim arrive here. While most can approach the Cansaulim PHC, those who can afford can visit the private hospitals so that there is no rush in primary health centres," said D’Souza.
