Team Herald
PANJIM: As every COVID-19 related death has been linked to co-morbid issues, the State government has decided to revamp facilities at the dedicated COVID hospitals, wherein the infected patients suffering from more than one disorder can be treated under one roof.
With the rising number of coronavirus cases, the State government has also decided to approach the Centre for more funds towards COVID management. Till date, the State has received Rs 6 crore.
Addressing media persons post the cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant said the government is taking all steps to ensure that best treatment is provided to COVID patients at the hospitals, especially those with co-morbidity issue.
He said the government is in the process of purchasing equipments like CT scan machine, high-flow oxygen machine, ECG and echocardiography machine for both COVID hospitals. “In the first phase, facilities would be revamped at ESI hospital and then at sub-district hospital Ponda,” Sawant said. “This will help the co-morbidity patients to get the best treatment in the COVID hospital,” he added.
Further, to streamline housekeeping, maintain hygiene and ensure quality food, Sodexo and Eco-Clean have been roped in to provide services at the COVID hospitals and care centers.
With increasing cases, the Chief Minister said that a proposal will be moved to the Centre seeking additional funds for COVID management. “So far, we have received only Rs 6 crore from the Centre. We will be asking for more funds,” he said, refuting charges that Centre funds Rs 1.5 lakh for every COVID positive patient.
Responding to a question, Sawant said that due to the highest number of tests undertaken, the State is recording more positive cases on a daily basis. “Goa tops the list with 90,000 tests per million population. This is highest in the country,” he explained.
Further, the State Cabinet accorded its ex-post facto approval for commissioning of plasma banks at Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC). Sawant said that the facility has already been commissioned and plasma therapy has been given to 41 critical patients.
The Cabinet also granted ex-post facto approval towards Rs 19.81 crore purchases made by Directorate of Health Services to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thanking the Chief Minister on social media, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said, “To further revamp the health infrastructure, we shall be procuring a CT Scan machine as a top priority for both hospitals along with 1 echocardiogram machine, 30 HFNO machines (15 each for both the hospitals), 1 mobile x-ray unit, 2 mobile dialysis units, 1 ultrasound machine, 2 abbot autoanalyzer for biochemistry, and 1 hematology cell-count machine. All of this high-end equipment will be replicated in both COVID hospitals.”
Since June 22, when the first COVID-19 death was reported, the State has had 86 deaths up to Tuesday. It currently has two dedicated COVID hospitals – ESI Margao and Sub-district hospital Ponda.
