PANJIM: In a video conference with the members of village panchayats to coordinate COVID-19 management, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant urged them to play an active role in providing relief to the people during the second wave and curb the spread of the infection.
The CM listed the measures and steps that have been taken by the government till date.
Sawant called upon the panchas, sarpanchas and zilla panchayat members to create awareness regarding the protocol for home isolation, especially regarding the medicines to be taken as soon as patients show the symptoms before their test results are out.
He said the backlog of pending tests is being cleared and the tests results will now be given within 24 to 36 hours.
Sawant urged the elected representatives to counsel those who are not willing to go for tests/ vaccinations.
He expressed concern over the high mortality rate where 20-30 people are dying each day and warned that the second wave can cause maximum damage to lungs within eight days.
He said the government has decided to stop vaccination and testing at the same place and added that testing will continue at the primary care health centres and vaccination will take place at new locations like government school buildings, which are not being used.
Sawant called on the elected representatives to keep a vigil on those moving out of their houses when they should be under home isolation and get the police involved if people do not listen.
He said such people would be sent to COVID Centres and advised the public to visit the nearest hospitals/ health centres for treatment instead of all rushing to the Goa Medical College.
He encouraged panchayats to take more restrictions if they deem it necessary, other than what have been announced by the government to curb the spread of the infection.
He said they know the situation better and thus can make decisions that suit their respective villages.
He shared the phone numbers of COVID hospitals where people get information about patients and bed availability etc.
Sawant spoke about the government’s steps to create a bigger rural dispensary infrastructure.
He touched up on the government’s efforts for Swayampurna Goa involving the panchayats.
He asked the panchayats to think of various projects where they can spend Rs 50 lakh grant under the Goa@60 programme.
He cited examples of projects such as constructing a crematorium, a bus stand, etc, that can be taken up and explained the procedure and deadline for the same.
In his tweets, the CM thanked Vedanta SESA for volunteering to supply 3 tonnes of liquid oxygen per day from their VAB plant at Amona, Navelim.
He also welcomed the decision of the Election Commission of India to ban the election victory rallies and celebrations. He said everyone must support and make efforts to ensure COVID appropriate norms are followed.
