PANJIM: The State government has issued an order on Monday to shut all the dispensaries under ESI Margao, the dedicated COVID hospital, with immediate effect.
Doctors, paramedical and non medical staff have been asked to report to the Dean of Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim for deployment to COVID hospitals.
The order issued by State Additional Secretary (Health) Vikas Gaunekar mentions that this decision is taken because the Margao-based hospital is a dedicated COVID hospital.
“Whereas considering the surge in COVID-19 cases in the State of Goa and to put infrastructure and manpower in place in order to cope up with the increased cases, the manpower is indispensable,” read the order.
“Now therefore, in terms of Section 2(1) of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, the government hereby directs that all the dispensaries under ESI shall be non-operational/shut down with immediate effect. The beneficiaries shall avail the necessary services in the nearest Primary Health Centre/ Urban Health Centre/ Community Health Centre. Consequent to which, all the doctors including paramedical, non medical staff etc, shall report to the GMC Dean, for further deployment in the COVID hospitals,” read the order.
Gaunekar stated that the order is for strict compliance and any deviation from the same shall be viewed seriously.
