Team Herald
MARGAO: Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Sunday said the new oxygen plant at the South Goa District Hospital, Margao will be made operational by May 15, enabling it to self-sustain its requirements to a great extent.
Sawant accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Babu Kavlekar; Chief Secretary Parimal Rai, Secretary (Health) Ravi Dhawan and other officials visited various oxygen producing plants across the State, to ensure regular oxygen supply to COVID-19 hospitals in view of rising number of COVID infected patients.
Sawant said that the new oxygen plant at the South Goa District Hospital, Margao will be established under the PM Cares Fund and will be commissioned on May 15 as the compressor is expected to reach Goa on May 8.
“Due to demand for oxygen all over the country there is a slight delay in receiving the compressor but once that comes the plant will be commissioned within a week,” he said specifying May 15 as the date.
The plant will be set up at the cost of Rs nine crore and it will be an additional oxygen facility at the District Hospital in Margao, which already has a 6000 litres oxygen tank functioning besides also using the trolley system as and when required.
The Chief Minister along with other officials also visited the ESI Hospital, Margao, apprising of the facilities, medical infrastructure, staff and shortcomings, if any, to ensure that proper and prompt medical facilities are made available to the COVID-19 patients.
Sawant interacted with doctors including Dr Edwin Gomes to verify the ground situation. After taking stock of the situation, he said that the oxygen supply in the ESI hospital was good and opined that if they start an intensive care unit then they will have to augment the oxygen supply to the hospital.
Replying to a question, Sawant said there was no shortage of beds in ESI Hospital or the District Hospital, Margao but admitted that there was a problem at Goa Medical College (GMC), Bambolim as most people rush there.
“I would advise people to visit the peripheral hospitals also especially when they have the first signs like fever,” he said.
Sawant said there was also a slight manpower problem as people are scared to join health services in view of the pandemic and added that the government was recruiting people on contract basis and asked the youth to accept these contract jobs.
