Team Herald
PANJIM: After Residencies, Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) has offered nine buses for transporting asymptomatic COVID patients to care centres or hospitals, considering that the increase in cases has put the pressure on the need for transportation of the patients.
Each of these buses have been deployed at Sub District Hospital in Ponda, Community Health Centres in Bicholim and Pernem, Primary Health Centres at Balli, Cortalim, Curchorem and Navelim; and Urban Health Centres at Mapusa and Panjim. Herald is in receipt of the details wherein the GTDC buses are accompanied with their drivers.
“These buses are exclusively for transporting COVID positive patients to either care centres or hospitals,” an official said.
Sources said the transportation of passengers would not be affected as these are usually booked for tourists, and in the present circumstance, tourism is at standstill.
Health Secretary Nila Mohanan on Monday had said that they have added nine GTDC buses for shifting asymptomatic patients.
Earlier this month, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said a decision has been taken to enhance the fleet of Ambulances in view of rising cases.
Meanwhile, GTDC’s Residencies, which witness a large number of tourists booking their accommodation all-round the year, are currently dedicated as quarantine centres.
