Team Herald
MARGAO: Goan Seamen Association of India (GSAI) on Sunday, made an urgent appeal to commence vaccination on the priority of Goan seafarers at Mormugao Port Trust hospital.
Briefing the media at Margao, President of GSAI Frank Viegas also demanded that the Goa government take over NUSI hospital and use it for COVID care.
The NUSI hospital can accommodate 400 beds.
Seafarers have already been notified as key workers by DG shipping, the government of India. Our seafarers’ Unions have already started urging their members to vaccinate.
“They have underlined that the next couple of months will be a tough time for Indian seafarers over the vaccine issue and advised everyone to be ready with their shots to be employed,” said Frank.
He also said that not vaccinating Goan seafarers is already having a serious bearing on the employment prospects in view of the fact that many other competing manpower supplying nations like China, Indonesia, and Bangladesh have given priority vaccination to their seafarers and are already the preferred lot for many ship owners.
Michael Benny Da Costa, another office-bearer of GSAI said since last year they are urging the government to take over the NUSI hospital. NUSI hospital belongs to the seafarers.
“We had written a letter to Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, besides Commissioner of NRI Adv. Narendra Sawaikar requesting to take over the NUSI hospital at the earliest. But nobody heard our request. Today, this NUSI hospital could have benefited in wake of the pandemic”, he stated.
