Panaji, Jul 21 (IANS): Opposing the state government's plan to reserve 20 per cent of the ICU beds in private hospitals for Covid-19 patients, the Goa chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Monday demanded setting up of a high-level committee of medical professionals to formulate a plan for comprehensive Covid-19 management outreach.

In a statement released late on Monday, the IMA also said that the private sector should not be roped in for the government's Covid-19 management plans just yet, claiming that government facilities are yet to be fully utilised for the purpose.

"IMA Goa state and Association of Private Nursing Homes are pained by the decision forced down the throat of private doctors by the government... When government facilities are utilised maximum up to 75 per cent, then private hospitals can essentially pitch in," the statement said, adding that reserving 20 per cent beds in private ICUs for Covid-19 patients would result in the infection spreading to other Covid-19 negative patients.

Last week, the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant-led administration had issued a circular directing all private hospital managements to set aside 20 per cent of ICU beds in private health facilities for treatment of Covid-19 patients.

"A high-level committee of doctors under the chairmanship of Director of Health Services should be formed which will report to the Chief Minister directly," the statement said, adding that the committee should formulate the state government's formal response to contain the pandemic and for the treatment of patients.