State heightens G20 prep, sets up emergency facilities

Panaji: With just a few weeks left until the first meeting of the G20 meetings in Goa, preparations to receive the international delegations are in full swing. A joint security review with all security agencies will be held in the coming days, with the final meeting with all the stakeholders to be held on April 13.
Protocol secretary and state nodal officer G20, Sanjit Rodrigues, said that the government is exploring every aspect of management.
“Across Goa, from the airports to the route to be covered during the G20 meetings, everything is being spruced up. We are adding greenery and beautifying the stretches. We are trying to give the delegates a comfortable stay here through experiences, dinners and cultural programmes,” said Rodrigues.
On the security front, director general of police Jaspal Singh said that Goa Police will follow all security and safety measures during the stay of the international delegates.
Inspector general of police, nodal officer for security G20, Omvir Singh Bishnoi, said that all security arrangements will be ensured and put in place before the planned meetings.
A venue commander and two officers have been deputed for both airports.
The authorities will provide medical coverage to all delegates and also deploy medical teams at all venues to handle health issues.
“The Goa Medical College will be used to cater to surgical and medical emergencies as well as the treatment and evaluation of patients. We have identified a dedicated ward along with an ICU facility for this purpose,” said officer on special duty G20, Dr Kedar Raikar.
The health department has also made some notable changes to Goa’s digital health and preparedness, which will be showcased to the visiting delegates. “Under the health management systems, we are showcasing primary health centre (PHC) Corlim for switching from the offline to the online mode of treatment. The hospital provides online services right from the registration counter to the patient getting laboratory investigations,” said Raikar.
The delegates will also be able to explore the dialysis centres at the health and wellness centres, emergency care centres, elderly care centres, as well as telemedicine, teleconsultation, and OPDs at the PHC Corlim, PHC Dharbandora, and PHC Aldona.