OPD set up at Mangor Hill containment zone

NT NETWORK

Vasco

The health department has suspended  collection of throat swab samples for COVID-19 testing at the containment zone at Mangor Hill for the second consecutive day on Saturday, however, an OPD was set up to facilitate medical checkup of the people at the zone.

The people in the containment zone expressed frustration over the suspension of the throat swab sample collection.

The people opined that there could be a surge in COVID-19 cases, if the health department and the state government fail to seriously act on the health issues of the people residing in and around the containment zone.

“How people will come to know about the COVID-19 infection, if the health department suspends its testing operation? There could be surge in COVID-19 cases, if not tested in time,” said an aggrieved local.

When contacted to know about the discontinuation of collection of throat swab samples, at the containment zone, for COVID-19 testing, the health officer at sub-district hospital Dr Rajndra Borkar said, “The state government has to take call on the collection of throat swab samples in the containment zone. The government will take necessary decision as per the guidelines issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).”

When asked whether there are any chances of the recommencement of the collection of throat swab samples  by Sunday or Monday, he was reluctant to say
anything.

Dr Borkar, who was monitoring the OPD which opened up in the containment zone on Saturday said, “Since morning, we have conducted health check-up of 108 patients who are suffering from various ailments like fever, cold, stomachache etc. We have made arrangements of two doctors to treat
the patients.”

Meanwhile, the state administration, on Saturday, distributed 4 kg of rice and 1 kg of daal each to the people residing in the containment zone.

The Mormugao mamlatdar Saiesh Naik informed that “the distribution of rice and daal was started in the containment zone from Friday evening, and was continued on Saturday. Till date the authorities have distributed rice and daal to over 300 people on Friday and Saturday.”

It is learnt that groceries, medicines and vegetables were supplied to the people at the containment zone on Saturday as per their requirements.

Even the relatives and friends of the people in the containment zone were seen providing required groceries to the
needed people.

The fire personnel undertook sanitisation in the containment zone
on Saturday.