THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has accused the BJP government of betraying its promise to upgrade the Sub‑District Hospital at Tisk, Ponda, into a fully functional District Hospital.
AAP's Ponda leaders, including Geetesh Naik, Mahila Wing President Mamata Maben, Vice President Amit Jog and Organisation Secretary Santan Dias, visited the hospital and submitted a memorandum to the Medical Superintendent seeking clarity on the status of the upgradation proposal.
Naik later told the media that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had repeatedly assured during the cancelled Ponda bye‑election earlier this year that the hospital would be upgraded but no progress has been made since.
“It took the BJP ten years to merely announce the upgradation. Will it take another ten years to start the work?” Naik asked.
Naik also criticised Power Minister Ramkrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar, questioning his political ambitions in Ponda while failing to deliver on basic healthcare needs.
He urged Dhavalikar to first ensure the hospital’s upgrade before seeking electoral gains in the constituency.
Highlighting the hospital’s shortcomings, Naik recounted an incident where a patient was found unconscious outside after being turned away due to the absence of doctors.
The patient was later diagnosed with a brain haemorrhage at Goa Medical College.
“This incident shows the risks people face because of shortages of doctors, no specialist surgeons, no Critical Care Unit and no Blood Bank,” he said.
Maben added that despite repeated assurances, patients continue to be referred elsewhere.
She pointed out the lack of essential facilities, including a Blood Bank, Critical Care Unit, adequate medicines and specialist doctors.
“The government must stop making empty promises and address the genuine healthcare needs of Ponda,” she said.
AAP demanded immediate action to fulfil the Chief Minister’s pledge and called for the hospital to be equipped with specialist doctors, a Critical Care Unit, a Blood Bank and all essential facilities.
