THE GOAN NETWORK
CANACONA
Congress leader Janardhan Bhandari has petitioned the Directorate of Health Services to upgrade the Canacona Community Health Centre (CHC) to a Sub-District Hospital and strengthen its healthcare facilities, manpower and infrastructure.
Bhandari submitted a memorandum to Director of Health Services Dr Medha Salkar, highlighting shortages of medical specialists, doctors, technicians, nursing staff and essential infrastructure at the CHC.
He put forth a nine-point charter of demands, sought an urgent joint inspection and gave a 15-day deadline to improve the situation, failing which he warned of action.
Bhandari said the Canacona CHC is the only health centre serving the entire taluka, with a population of over 70,000, besides a substantial floating population of migrant workers and domestic and foreign tourists.
He said the CHC was increasingly overburdened due to growing healthcare needs and inadequate facilities and manpower. The Canacona Congress, he added, had repeatedly highlighted the shortcomings and sought an upgradation of services.
Bhandari also sought a comprehensive and updated registry of kidney disease patients in Canacona, covering systematic monitoring, treatment and follow-up.
He said 114 patients were undergoing dialysis, while more than 400 were awaiting treatment. He demanded a government scheme to provide financial assistance to kidney patients for medical treatment, along with a research centre to ascertain the reasons for the increase in kidney ailments in the taluka.
He also sought proper medical treatment for existing patients suffering from kidney and other ailments and urged immediate measures to strengthen healthcare facilities, infrastructure and manpower at the CHC.
