Aam Aadmi Party once again went on the offensive stating that something as simple as undergoing a covid test was beyond the reach of the common man in the state and demanded that instead of making scapegoat of doctors in COVID Hospital , the Chief Minister and the health minister should take responsibility and step down.
Addressing media, AAP convenor Elvis Gomes said that since the BJP would find it difficult to accede to the demand as they had no competent people to replace the CM and HM, President’s rule was the only alternative left to save the people of Goa from being at the mercy of an incompetent government.
He said that the policy of use and throw of doctors who had given everything from day one , would have a demoralising effect on other frontline warriors. “Replacing one set of doctors with another is just to deflect the attention to the failure of the government. Instead of giving all the necessary help to the doctors a cruel step has been taken which can be counterproductive” said Gomes
Spelling out details of a specific case in Simplear in Cuncolim where 5 close relations of a covid positive person were refused tests even after the doctor at PHC Balli gave a written note sending them to Covid centre in Margao, Gomes wondered what would happen in case even one among them would be tested positive later.
“The complicated process to obtain a test in Goa, as well as the fear about what happens next after testing positive, is discouraging people from going for timely testing. Even if people go to test, they are refused” said Gomes displaying the note of the doctor from PHC Balli which was not accepted at Margao. He demanded total transparency in the functioning as was seen in the ‘Delhi model’
Aap Leader Valmiki Naik claimed that neither the helpline 104 nor the phone numbers listed for the testing centres were operating properly. He charged the Govt with failing in the very first step of covid management, i.e. Testing. Pointing out to long lines, lack of social distancing, and delays at the testing centres, AAP has demanded that the Govt should encourage people to get tested by making testing centres easily accessible and making the process a pain-free one for already distressed Covid suspects. Naik described the Delhi Govt’s efforts to provide clear information and widespread testing facilities, some of which even included “drive-through” service which allowed taking of swab sample without having to step out of one’s car. Naik also lauded the immediate counselling and support provided to those testing positive, stating this had gone a long way in removing fear of the virus from the general public.
Recalling the CM’s stint for a few hours as a doctor in the Asilo hospital OPD in April on the occasion of his birthday, AAP said that it was just a publicity stunt done when there were zero cases in Goa. The party has demanded that now is the time for the CM and Health Minister to visit the testing centres, hospitals and containment zones to see what was actually happening on the ground.
