Team Herald
PANJIM: The 200-bedded Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium, earlier notified as COVID care centre, was on Sunday converted into Step-Up Hospital, wherein patients from the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC) would be shifted for treatment.
Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Sunday inspected the facility, which currently houses few asymptomatic COVID-positive patients. Sawant said that with Step-Up Hospital, the load on GMC would be reduced to some extent.
Speaking to the media persons after inspecting the facility, Sawant said that not so critical patients from GMC would be shifted to Step-Up Hospital for treatment. He said that 90 oxygen concentrators, of those 200 received from the Centre, have been commissioned at the step-up facility.
“With Step-Up hospitals, the efforts is to decentralise the COVID-19 patients for better and hassle-free treatment,” he said adding that Step-Up hospitals are also been set up in Bicholim, Pernem and Quepem.
He said that such facilities would be also set up in Canacona, Curchorem and Valpoi.
As per government directives, the doctors of the concerned PHC or CHC and neighbouring PHCs and CHCs will come together to operate such hospitals.
Responding to the question over shortage of medical staff, the Chief Minister said that appointments on contract basis are been done almost on regular basis.
He said that preference will be given to these nurses, doctors, housekeeping staff, working on contract basis for COVID duty, in government services.
Meanwhile, Sawant appealed the Opposition to create awareness among the citizens and request them not to move out of the houses during the curfew period.
“Rather than just blaming the government, it would be better if Opposition can tell people from their constituency not to resort to panic buy,” he said.