Ops at new district hospital begin, but Covid facility shut

| OCTOBER 28, 2021, 11:18 PM IST

The shifting of services from the old Hospicio building in Margao to the spacious South Goa district hospital has concluded on Wednesday with the last two crucial departments of casualty and surgery moving to the new premises. The full-functioning of the new district hospital has finally begun from Thursday, giving easy access to medical facilities and treatment at the premier hospital.

However, while the new hospital becomes a buzz of activity, a critical area of Covid treatment has been ignored for now. There is no dedicated facility for Covid treatment facility for patients from South Goa, and that remains a concern despite the fact that the virus is easing off. If we may recall, last weekend a 90-year-old from Margao had to face a harrowing time when he had to be rushed to the Goa Medical College and Hospital at Bambolim after he tested Covid-positive.

Currently, the rate of infection has reduced, but in the absence of any Covid facility in South Goa, patients, even if they face an emergency, will have no other option but to be shifted to GMC. It is surprising why the government is not considering allocating a portion of the third floor of the spacious new premises for Covid treatment. It is unfortunate that the fatalities and emergencies have been ignored and merely a drop in patients considered for closure of the Covid ward. While there are occasional zero deaths reported, the health bulletin still shows deaths in the range of one to four on a daily basis. It is surprising that Covid treatment is not a priority anymore.

Moreover, we have faced a gruelling first and second phase where authorities struggled to put infrastructure in place. If we may recall, patients were shifted to GMC and were accommodated on floors and trolleys for want of bed space. To top that, the fear of an impending third wave hasn’t abated yet. South Goa could land itself in a situation similar to the earlier phases should a third wave strike.

Keeping in the mind the experiences of the past, the health minister must open up a ward on the third floor for at least Covid emergencies. The administration cannot expect senior citizens suffering from extreme Covid conditions to travel from faraway areas like Canacona and around to Bambolim. They have to be provided with immediate relief in Margao.

While the health ministry claims that it has taken a conscious decision to shift the Hospicio services, it has ignored a host of other logistical issues that are inconveniencing patients and visitors. For example, there is no dedicated parking space and very often vehicles are lined up along the highway hindering the smooth flow of traffic. A similar situation prevailed at the Hospicio where vehicles parked along the southern entrance of the hospital disrupted the free flow of traffic.

While the structure of the district hospital stands imposingly tall, visitors are being greeted by a foul smell the fills the air at the entrance. A sewerage pipeline issue in the vicinity has been left unattended for almost two years. It appears nobody cares for the hospital ambience.

The job of shifting services from Hospicio may have been completed, but there are healthcare and logistical that need to be ironed out keeping the overall wellbeing of common citizens in mind.


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