FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: As numbers of coronavirus cases keep rising, the government on Monday announced that the new South Goa district hospital, with 400-500 bed capacity, would be the additional dedicated COVID hospital.
The State currently has two dedicated COVID hospitals – ESI at Margao and Ponda Sub-District Hospital – while there are four corporate private hospitals that have reserved 20 per cent of their ICU beds for treating people infected with the virus.
Five wards of Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC) have also been reserved for treating critically ill COVID patients.
Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant tweeted saying, “In view of the rising cases of COVID-19 in the State, government has taken a decision to designate the new South Goa District Hospital as an additional Covid Hospital. We stand committed for giving better treatment and medical facilities to the people of Goa.”
The government has appointed Dr Sunanda Amonkar and Dr Rajesh Patil to manage COVID operations at the South Goa District Hospital, along with Medical Superintendent Dr Deepa Correia.
Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said the decision has been taken in consultation with the Chief Minister. “After a joint consultation with CM, we shall be converting the South Goa District Hospital into a dedicated COVID hospital,” Rane tweeted.
“Simultaneously, GMC will continue to manage and treat critical COVID patients,” he added.
The government has come under sharp criticism from the opposition parties for failing to utilise the facilities of the new district hospital for COVID-19.
