Govt seeks thermal scanners from Centre to tackle nCoV

Panaji: Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Tuesday said that the state government has written to the Union Health Ministry requesting the officials to provide thermal scanners at the Dabolim airport to screen passengers for the novel coronavirus (nCoV).

Replying during the calling attention motion moved by opposition MLAs, who sought answers from the government in the state assembly with regard to the screening of passengers for the virus and prevention of its outbreak, Rane said at present passengers at the airport are screened using a ‘thermal gun’. However, for effective screening and to ensure that all passengers are covered, there is a need to have thermal scanners.

He informed that the state government will adopt the same method used by the Kerala government to prevent the spread of the deadly virus that originated in China’s Wuhan city.

Rane said that the state’s health department will coordinate with the education department to conduct an awareness programme on coronavirus among school children and educate them about the clinical signs and symptoms of the virus and the measures that need to be adopted to reduce the risk of infection. “We will reach out to the grassroots level, if required, with the help of health officers. We will also rope in anganwadi workers,” he said.

Rane said that currently there is no mechanism in place to screen the patients coming down to Goa by buses or trains. “Currently, a total of 14 travellers from China are under the watch of our health officers. If required, we will set up more isolation centres in Goa,” Rane said.

The minister clarified that the state’s health department is following the guidelines issued by the World Health Organisation and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in implementing prevention control measures.

Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte said that the tourists are visiting the state through all modes of transport and hence there is a need to screen the visitors at all entry points. “The government’s role doesn’t end by forming a taskforce. There is a need to take proactive steps to tackle the virus. You ought to also screen people from Kerala, Maharashtra and other states who are visiting the state,” he said.

Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai said that if the government has enough money to send Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar on a ‘junket’ to China, then the Chief Minister should have also had the courtesy to provide required funds for the control and prevention of the dreaded virus.

Pointing out that three positive cases of coronavirus have been detected in Kerala, leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat said there should be strict monitoring of the people coming from Kerala.

Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao pointed out that majority of people come down to Goa by train. Hence, it is necessary to set up screening facilities at all railway stations, he said.