MARGAO: Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Thursday said seven PSA oxygen plants commissioned under the PM Cares Fund at the different hospitals in the State will help tackle the third wave of COVID-19 and added that the government has set October 30 target to complete the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine for eligible persons.
Sawant attended the virtual inaugural function of 30 PSA oxygen plants set up in different States by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In Goa, the function was held at South Goa District Hospital, Margao via video conferencing. Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, besides Director of Health Services Dr Ira Almeida and Medical Superintendent of South Goa District Hospital Dr Deepa Correia Afonso were present.
The Chief Minister said that the Prime Minister has dedicated 30 plus PSA oxygen plants to the nation.
“Prime Minister through his initiatives has managed to create an infrastructure within a year which is remarkable. Besides, he was also a frontrunner in taking the initiative to supply vaccines to other countries of the world,” he said.
Sawant said seven PSA plants have been inaugurated under the PM Cares Fund by the Prime Minister in virtual mode, including one at South Goa District Hospital, three at Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim and one each in Chicalim and North Goa District Hospital.
“We can now proudly say Goa is Swayampurna with regards to oxygen facilities. However, we can arrange LMO tanks to store oxygen brought from other States, if the need arises. In the long run, there will be no shortage of oxygen supply in Goa,” he said.
He said there are possibilities of a third wave of COVID-19 but the State is fully prepared under the leadership of Health Minister, the health staff and task force.
“However, we all need to take precaution to tackle COVID-19. We were able to complete the first dose of vaccination in Goa, and the government has set a target to complete the second dose of vaccine by October 30,” the Chief Minister said.
He appreciated the medical staff and other workers of SGDH for their services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earlier, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said the need for oxygen and beds in the hospitals were felt on account of the pandemic.
“We have experienced something that never came to our mind; how important oxygen can be in the health sector. However, now we are fully equipped to tackle the health and other crises in Goa,” he added.
