the goan I network
CANACONA
A growing number of locals in Canacona taluka have demanded the reinstatement of Dr Iona Barretto, after her services were terminated by the government over allegations of private practice while in government service.
Dr Barretto, who had been posted at the Community Health Centre (CHC) Canacona as junior physician for many years, was issued with an order of termination of services on September 10, following the outcome of a charge sheet investigated by the Vigilance Department over allegations of private practice during her services at the Hospicio Hospital in Margao.
On hearing news of her termination in service, a number of residents agitated at CHC, claiming that the termination of services was too harsh a punishment for Dr Barretto.
Expressing her full support to Dr Barretto, one patient said, “Dr Barretto was one doctor who treated all her patients with love and affection like her family members. You don’t find such doctors in a government hospital.”
“Dr Barretto would go out of her way to help patients, even to the extent of delivering and getting test reports from Hospicio Hospital at Margao for the benefit of patients. Such services by a doctor are hardly seen in any government hospital,” the patient said.
According to reports, a complaint against her had been filed by a foreign national about her alleged private practice, while also claiming that the prescription she wrote had also mentioned the rate of medicines.
“Everyone here knows that most government servants are engaged in activities other than their government jobs. We only request the State government to reinstate her considering this as her first and last mistake while discharging her government service,” said Sanjay Komarpant.
Aggrieved Canacona residents had even submitted a memorandum to CHC Health Officer Dr Vandana Dessai, with a request to convey public sentiments to the Directorate of Health Services to reinstate Dr Barretto as her termination from services had shocked the people of Canacona.
They had also reminded the CHC health officer that many doctors had refused a posting at the CHC, given the hospital’s location at one end of the State.
Many people have also approached Dy Speaker and Canacona MLA Isidore Fernandes, requesting him to use his office to get Dr Barretto’s termination of services revoked.
Many have also felt that Dr Barretto should put forth her case before Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Health Minister Vishwajit Rane with facts about the allegations against her.
“Considering Dr Barretto’s services to the people of Canacona taluka, we are optimistic that the State government will take favourable stand and reinstate her. We hope she is deputed to serve the people of Canacona once again,” said Canacona Health Welfare Committee President Diogo Da Silva.
