Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Apr 21: Private hospitals have agreed to an additional 250 beds for Covid patients after a meeting with health minister Vishwajit Rane. Rane had warned that private hospitals cannot escape their responsibility during such times of worst crisis brought by the pandemic in the state.

Four corporate hospitals in the state have less than 100 beds against the need of additional 40 beds daily if the present pace of infections continues for another two weeks.

"The representatives have voluntarily decided to increase their bed capacity to manage the increasing number of patients by reserving 250 additional beds in their respective facilities. My sincere gratitude to them for this gesture. A nodal officer will be appointed to ensure seamless coordination with private hospitals," Rane said.

Goa Medical College (GMC) which is primarily treating critically ill patients has been adding extra beds every day even as some patients continue to be on trolleys.