‘Health centres to have special teams for swab-collecting’

Panaji: As Covid-19 cases continue to rise across Goa, the state government has said it will soon post dedicated teams at primary health centres (PHCs) and community health centres (CHCs) for swab-collecting and testing. Health minister Vishwajit Rane, after a meeting with CM Pramod Sawant, said that the teams will be recruited on contract basis on top priority.
“The team will report directly to the respective health centre,” Rane said. “They will work only on collecting swabs and co-ordinating with testing centres.” He added that once the new teams are posted, the health centres’ existing staff will be redirected to their regular activities. Rane also said that the state will expand the scope of testing as suggested by the ICMR.
A health official told TOI that with cases rising everyday, it has become difficult for PHC and CHC staff to focus on other activities. “At times, we are unable to deliver our regular services, though we try our best to balance the work,” he said. Across the state’s health centres, regular work has been impacted over the past few weeks as its staff are deployed for Covid swab-collecting and testing. The official said that without additional help, it would be difficult for health centres to offer unhindered service to people in the event that cases further spike. “The trend shows that at least this month, we will see cases rising,” he said. “It is a good move on the part of the government to have special teams for swab collection and co-ordination. It will reduce our burden.”
The problem is especially severe in areas where the government has declared containment zones, as since the focus has been on Covid patients, those with other ailments have to wait to get medical attention unless it’s an emergency.
Meanwhile, Rane also said that steps will soon be taken to streamline the food service at Covid care centres. “It is being thoroughly streamlined, and monitored by the health secretary,” he said. There have been complaints about the service at Covid care centres, and that not adequate cleaning staff are posted there.