MARGAO: The Goa Seamen Association of India (GSAI) has requested the National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) to refurbish the NUSI hospital at Panzorconi, Cuncolim and keep it ready with basic amenities.
The GSAI said the hospital can be put in place, which can be utilized as a quarantine centre or isolation centre for seafarers without much burden on the shipping companies.
“The government of Goa is showing no sign to revert the decision on a paid quarantine facility or to take over the hospital to refurbish the same, which would benefit our seafarers in the long run with no sign of any vaccine available,” GSAI said.
“It will be a continuous process of seafarers signing off or signing on for merchant ships or cruise industry, which can benefit for our seafarers to utilise the service provided by NUSI to our frontline warriors,” GSAI suggested.
“The COVID-19 crisis has exposed the fragility of the global economy to an extent that was unexpected and has rapidly engulfed the world and entire community. It has also exposed the weakness and delays in the governance unprepared to cope with the challenges they have to face. The government failed to appreciate the crucial role that the shipping industry and our seafarers play in the global economy, the very same governments expect them to continue to carry on providing the essential service that keeps the supply chain open by means of import or export,” GSAI president Frank Viegas said.
