Team Herald
MARGAO: The Goa Forward Party (GFP) has demanded an immediate white paper on the State Government’s preparedness to tackle COVID-19 health emergency in Goa.
The GFP chief Vijai Sardesai said in view of the first three confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Goa, the government needs to assure Goenkars that the State is adequately prepared for a COVID-19 Health Emergency (CHE) in Goa.
“How prepared are you with the remedial measures to tackle a CHE in Goa? Which hospitals are designated and prepared in the North District as dedicated COVID-19 treatment hospitals? Where is the isolation centre? How many ICU beds have you prepared” Vijai questioned.
“How many ventilators do we have? How many more have you ordered and from where? When are they expected? What is the estimated requirement of ICU beds and ventilators as per your experts for Goa if, God forbid, an emergency strikes Goa,” Vijai asked.
“How many private hospital ICU beds are requisitioned by the Government of Goa if there is a spike in cases? What is the number of protective equipment such as gowns, reusable Masks, etc, that we have in stock to protect our healthcare givers,” he questioned.
Vijai has also questioned the Government on the extent of stock of vaccines and therapeutics required to deal with full blown cases with co-morbidity such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma, kidney problems, etc. that we have in our inventory.
Vijai said it is time for politicians to step aside and experts to take over before it is too late.
