PANJIM: After much ado the Goa government did not procure Ivermectin tablets for public distribution as a preventive treatment against COVID-19 infection, according to Health Department sources.
Last month, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane had announced that the government will distribute Ivermectin tablets through anganwadi workers to all adults irrespective of their coronavirus status even as World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended against its use without clinical trials.
The opposition Congress Party had also opposed the distribution of Ivermectin tablets to all households in the State and had alleged Rs 22.5 crore scam in the purchase of these tablets.
But on Monday, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued new guidelines and decided to stop the use of Ivermectin and Doxycycline tablets in COVID-19 treatment.
However, Health Department sources on Tuesday said that the government did not procure Ivermectin tablets for distribution to all adults in the households in the State. The sources said that the joint purchase committee had floated a short tender to procure Ivermectin tablets but it could not be purchased as government’s approval was awaited.
Meanwhile, 10,049 persons were administered COVID-19 vaccine doses taking the total doses administered as on June 8 to 5,79,177. As many as 3570 persons were given first dose while, 100 persons were given second dose and 6379 were among 18-44 years priority group, who were administered doses on Tuesday.
The Government of India had allocated a total of 7,59,500 Covishield vaccine doses to the State government, which still has 2,30,860 balance doses. Also doses allotted to Goa for 18-44 age group were 32,870 and the State still has 6360 surplus doses, informed Directorate of Health Services, State immunisation programme chief medical officer Dr Rajendra Borkar.
When contacted, Dr Borkar said that Goa is likely to receive second stock of 36,000 vaccine doses for vaccinating 18-44 age group in a day or two. “The government has paid for 36,000 vaccine doses and the stock was expected on Tuesday. We hope to receive it on Wednesday,” he said.
