GFP: See to Goa’s needs, don’t divert O2 to Sindhudurg

PANAJI: The Pramod Sawant government should put the needs of the state before offering medical assistance or diverting oxygen supplies to neighbouring states, said GFP president Vijai Sardesai on Friday.
Sardesai has also called on the government to convene an all-party meeting to discuss Goa’s Covid-19 strategy and the plans to enhance Goa’s medical infrastructure.He also said that an all-party meeting could not only provide ideas for the state government but will also create political unity.
“The government and health authorities need to be vigilant and avoid diversion of oxygen supply to the Sindhudurg hospital run by BJP MP Narayan Rane,” he said.
“Ever since the first wave of infections hit the state we have been calling for urgent measures to ramp up our health infrastructure,” said Sardesai, adding, “Goa being a tourist hub, the government should’ve anticipated the surge and worked proactively from the beginning to avoid the mess we are in now.”
Sardesai also met Salcete deputy collector Jyoti Kumari and conveyed the need for immediate action to stop the rapid spread of infections.
He demanded an immediate stop to all unnecessary expenditure towards tourism promotion and that the amount of over Rs28 crore budgeted for promoting tourism should be used to augment medical infrastructure. GFP also asked the government to clearly define the current lockdown.