Goa: New administrator defends ESI hospital, says healthcare on par with the best

MARGAO: Recently-appointed administrator of the ESI-Covid hospital Dr Uday Kakodkar said on Monday that contrary to general perception, “the best of treatment on par with the best of healthcare facilities elsewhere” was being provided at the hospital.
Kakodkar, a pulmonary medicine consultant at Goa Medical College (GMC) and hospital, said, “The ESI hospital is equipped with all necessary medical infrastructure.”
Kakodkar illustrated his point by referring to a recent three-hour emergency surgery performed on a 70-plus cancer patient at the Covid hospital. The patient, who complained of fever for the past two months, was initially treated at the Ponda sub-district hospital and then at GMC, where he tested positive for Covid.

“He was diagnosed with a ruptured bowel,. As this was a life-threatening condition, a decision was taken to perform an emergency surgery on him.” The patient was shifted to the Covid hospital taking utmost precautionary measures. All the medical tools and equipment necessary for the surgery was immediately transported from GMC.
Kakodkar said this was done to ensure there was no delay in providing the necessary treatment. A colostomy, besides other surgical procedures, was successfully conducted on the patient, with everybody wearing full personal protection equipment (PPE). “Performing a surgery wearing PPE is tough,” Kakodkar said. “However, the team of doctors, paramedical staff and assisting personnel who were involved in the emergency surgery gave their 100% .”
This emergency surgery, according to Kakodkar, exemplifies that “every Covid-infected patient is treated as a whole, and not in compartments.” He also dismissed allegations that super-speciality consultants were not available at the Covid hospital. “When their opinion is needed to manage a patient’s condition, their advice is definitely sought, and they come and examine the patient in the Covid hospital.”
Kakodkar, however, expressed his concern over the spike in infections, leading to near-full occupancy of the hospital. “Hospitals too have limitations. It’s the responsibility of every person to adhere to social distancing norms, wearing face masks and maintaining personal hygiene.”