Online registration in govt hospitals
The Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim, has reportedly introduced a dedicated queue exclusively for senior citizens mainly to ease the challenges faced by them during the registration process.
Additionally it is learnt that a separate counter has also been set up to give preference to senior citizens holding a priority card for Out Patient Department (OPD).
A public relations officer (PRO) will reportedly be present to guide the senior citizens to their respective OPDs for check-ups and necessary investigations.
These facilities need to be provided not only at the GMC, but should be made available for government hospitals across the State since senior citizens also visit other government hospitals. As per statistics elderly citizens now constitute half of the hospital inpatient population.
Catering for the needs of this group requires care and improving the inpatient environment in the hospitals. Elderly persons may have multiple health issues, could be malnourished and have impairments. These older adults are at great risk of suffering hospital-associated discomforts. Be that as it may, at a time when Information Technology (IT) is being used vastly in numerous aspects of the healthcare delivery system, why not introduce a system wherein senior citizens can make online registration at government hospitals from the comfort of their homes instead of having them wait in line, even if it is a dedicated queue. Senior citizens can upload their Senior Citizen card while taking an appointment online in a government hospital.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Humid weather in Goa
Although summer is just round the corner, Goa has already experienced extremely hot and sometimes very humid weather with the mercury having reached 37.6 degree Celsius on February 16.
Thereafter by and large the maximum temperatures have been around 35 to 36 degree Celsius bordering on a heat wave like condition causing distress to the people.
It is known that on January 3 every year the Earth is closest to the sun and since the orbit of the earth around the sun is elliptical due to closeness to the sun it explains why the temperature is high.
Another significant explanation for the high temperatures is the fact that emission of Greenhouse gases by the about 15 lakh four-wheelers on the roads is also leading to the rise in temperature.
It is known that one litre of petrol emits 2.3 kg of carbon dioxide and at the least if we consider that only 10 percent of the vehicles are in operation every time then minimum 3.45 lakh kg of carbon dioxide which traps the heat of the sun is causing to a great extent the rise in temperatures, also at least emission of the 14 lakh two-wheelers in Goa are contributing to the rise in mercury levels.
Being a coastal State, Goa due to the high temperatures, excess evaporation is leading to the increase in humidity.
Stephen Dias, Dona Paula
Stalwart of domestic cricket
The passing away of the legendary left-arm spinner Padmakar Shivalkar is a huge loss to the cricketing fraternity, and particularly to Mumbai cricket.
If ever there was a highly enduring performer to wear the lion-crested Mumbai cap, it was Shivalkar.
‘Paddy’, as he was fondly known to fellow cricketers, represented Mumbai in Ranji Trophy for over two decades, establishing himself as a dominant force in domestic cricket.
Despite his outstanding performances, sadly Shivalkar could never make it to the Indian Test team, as his career coincided with that of the legendary Bishan Singh Bedi.
In recognition of his achievements, Shivalkar was honoured with the C K Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.
Shivalkar’s legacy as domestic cricket stalwart remains strong and his impact on Mumbai’s cricketing dominance will be remembered for generations.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
Brody, brutalist and brutalism
Adrien Brody just won the best actor Oscar for ‘The Brutalist’, a historical drama about an architect, who survives the Holocaust, only to face anti- Semitism, drug addiction and violence in the US.
The world is also awash with a wave of brutalism; look around and see how the world is slowly being usurped by rabid right wing forces. India, US, Hungary and Turkey are only some of the examples.
In his acceptance speech, Brody mentioned that his character in the film represents the lingering traumas of conflict, repercussions of war, systemic oppression, racism and that of those whose thoughts and actions are at variance with the prevailing neo-fascist ideology.
For a healthier, happier and more inclusive world we should learn from the past. More than moral lessons, it is a reminder to not let hate and bigotry go unchecked.
Hope Modi, Trump and others of their ilk are listening.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Idli sambar storm
The people of Goa have to come out on the streets to fight for their basic rights like to get right of access to their houses that were never heard of in
the past.
There are many other issues which are topmost in our minds and the least of which is whether to choose from idli sambar or steaks. With less number of foreign tourists coming to Goa because of dirty beaches and ill-treatment by the shack employees they may have to sell mirchi and boje very soon!
Matias Lobo, Tivim
Cruel deportation
The United States of America has the right to deport illegal migrants from any country, including India. However, the recent deportation of Indians, involving handcuffs and military planes without food or water, was handled in an inappropriate and inhumane manner.
The US should have taken a more compassionate approach and learned from India’s more respectful treatment of migrants. Deporting people in such a cruel way was wrong and does not reflect a humane approach to immigration control.
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai