PANJIM: Pointing to State government’s failure in handling the COVID crisis, Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat has sought Governor Satya Pal Malik’s intervention for the release of an action plan and white paper on COVID management.
In a memorandum submitted to the Governor with a series of recommendations and suggestions to the government for effective handling and management of the COVID pandemic, Kamat has also demanded that the new South Goa District Hospital be put in operation with optimum use to reduce pressure on the government to accommodate COVID patients.
He also demanded for an immediate withdrawal of the order directing private hospitals to reserve 20 per cent of intensive care unit (ICU) beds for COVID patients.
“There is complete fear and anxiety in the minds of the people of Goa about the spread of coronavirus and spike in COVID positive cases across the State. The government has not come out with an action plan on the control and management of the COVID pandemic till date,” former Chief Minister said.
He informed the Governor that the party has been continuously demanding for action plan and white paper on COVID management and handling by the Government.
“It is important that the government places all the facts and figures before the public and ask for their valuable suggestions,” he said.
Kamat said that he has received various complaints from the COVID positive patients, their relatives, medical practitioners and others regarding mismanagement at the COVID Hospital and COVID Care Centres.
“There are various photographs and videos, which are circulated on the social media highlighting the pathetic conditions of the facilities provided to the patients by the government,” he added.
He said that there are questions being raised about the preparedness of the government on handling the COVID situation and concerns with regards to the delay in COVID testing results.
The Congress leader urged the Governor to direct the government to make South Goa hospital fully operational and all the departments should be made functional immediately.
“The government can ask for funds from the PM Care Fund to complete the pending work of the hospital,” he suggested.
“The optimum use of the (South Goa District) hospital premises will reduce the pressure on the government to accommodate COVID patients. The facility will help the government in treating asymptomatic as well as the critical COVID patients in isolation wards, which can be setup on one of the top floors in the said hospital,” he added.
Kamat further said that community testing be undertaken vigorously across the State that will help in identifying asymptomatic patients and their timely quarantine will help in controlling the spread of the virus.
