MAPUSA
Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Tuesday assured the Goa Legislative Assembly that the long-delayed Tuem government hospital in Pernem taluka will be ready and operational by January 30, putting to rest concerns over repeated postponements in the commissioning of the healthcare facility.
The assurance came during Zero Hour after Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar raised the issue, expressing public frustration over the prolonged delay in opening the hospital despite the completion of major construction works.
Arolkar said residents of Pernem taluka were anxiously awaiting clarity on the date of completion by the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) and the inauguration of the fully equipped hospital.
“People want to know when the hospital will be completed by GSIDC and when it will be inaugurated as a fully loaded facility. The entire Pernem taluka has been waiting for this for years,” Arolkar said, adding that uncertainty had led to growing public resentment.
Responding to the concerns, Health Minister Rane told the House that the government was committed to opening the hospital by January 30 and that the remaining works were nearing completion.
He said necessary steps were being taken to ensure that the hospital becomes functional with adequate infrastructure and services.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant also intervened in the discussion and reiterated the government’s assurance.
“As stated by the Health Minister, the Tuem hospital will be opened on January 30,” Sawant told the House.
The issue has triggered sustained protests in Tuem village and surrounding areas, with residents staging demonstrations and even resorting to a chain hunger strike, alleging government apathy over the failure to operationalise the hospital despite assurances over the years.
The Tuem government hospital is expected to significantly improve healthcare access for residents of Pernem taluka, who currently have to travel long distances for secondary and emergency medical services.
