MARGAO
March 3, 2017 will mark three years since former union labour minister Oscar Fernandes inaugurated the 100-bedded ESI hospital at Margao. But surprisingly, the all-important medical equipment is yet to make an appearance in the spacious building till date.
What the hospital has received so far is an Operation Theatre (OT) table and dental chair. While these two medical items have been donated under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), there’s still no sign of the medical equipment that was ordered under the ESI scheme.
When The Goan contacted Labour and Employment Minister Avertano Furtado to shed light on the three-year delay in starting full-fledged operations at the ESI hospital to cater to the labour and working class, he attributed the situation to the delay in procuring medical
equipment.
“I had plans to start full-fledged operations in the hospital before the election code of conduct came into force around two months ago. However, funds to procure the equipment have still not been sanctioned yet,” Avertano asserted.
ESI Medical Superintendent, Dr Vishwajeet Faldesai conceded that though the renovated ESI hospital has a capacity for 100 beds, in reality it can only play host to 10 beds.
“The ESI hospital has till date not received the supply of beds. Presently, the hospital only has around 10 beds to cater to the patients in emergency cases,”
Dr Faldesai said.
Sources in the know pointed out that though the government had drawn up a plan to commission the hospital just before the election code of conduct came into force when Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza descended on Navelim to inaugurate the primary health centre, the plan was put off since basic medical equipment was yet to fall in place at the hospital.
It is sheer coincidence that former union minister Oscar Fernandes had rushed with the inauguration of the renovated 100-bedded ESI hospital in the presence of then chief minister Manohar Parrikar, Labour Minister Avertano Furtado and Margao MLA Digambar Kamat on March 3, 2014 to beat the election code of conduct ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha election.
ESI hospital sources revealed that the equipment will fall in place once the tender floated by Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) is taken to its logical conclusion. The Goan, however, understands that the fate of the tender hangs in balance in the absence of funds required to clear payments to
the suppliers.
When The Goan contacted GSIDC Managing Director Sanjit Rodrigues to shed light on the tender floated by the agency to procure the required medical equipment, he confirmed that the corporation did float a tender, but hastened to add that much would depend on the availability of funds.
“GSIDC has not only floated a tender, but even a work order has been issued to a bidder. Our main concern now is the availability of funds at our disposal. Unlike construction projects, suppliers need to be paid at the counter. We hope that funds are placed at our disposal at the earliest,” Sanjit told
The Goan.
