the goan I network
QUEPEM
The bereaved family of a man from Bobrumoddi-Quepem who died in a road mishap believe a conspiracy is being hatched to shield the driver involved in the mishap.
The family members, friends and Quepem Councillor Manuel Colaco on Monday met the Quepem Primary Health Centre Health Officer Dr Lorna Fernandes, in connection with the explanation of earlier investigating Officer PSI Remedios D’Souza regarding the blood samples of the bus driver.
Michael Cunha of Bobrumoddi-Quepem had died in a fatal road mishap on January 22.
According to police, the doctor who examined the driver prepared a report based on physical appearance and it was informed that the blood samples, which were sent to Hospicio at Margao, were said to be rejected as the seal of the samples was not proper.
Colaco asked Dr Fernandes why proper procedures were not followed, especially since blood samples were crucial to validate the alcohol percentage of the accused.
After verifying all records, Dr Fernandes said all procedures were followed by Dr Joyce Pereira, who was on duty at the time. Dr Pereira categorically specified that she herself had sealed the blood samples and there was absolutely no chance that she made mistake while sealing the sample bottle.
According to Dr Pereira, the samples were collected at around 10.45 pm and that contradicts the statement of police that the driver was taken for medical checkup from police station at 9.30 pm.
A cousin of the deceased, Dylan Diniz, suspected that the police could be shielding the driver who was allegedly under the influence of alcohol at the time of accident.
“Taking over an hour to reach 1 km is a laughable matter and I am sure the police either deliberately delayed the blood sample collection time to get different results or were involved in swapping the driver to save the drunk driver,” said Diniz.
“The challenging part of it all is the rejection of blood samples due to improper sealing of samples. Dr Joyce Pereira claimed that though the samples were collected and sent for analysis on the night of January 22, the police officer came with the rejected blood samples to PHC Quepem on the evening of January 27 and took the samples back with him as he was not carrying proper papers related to the rejected samples.”
“There appears to be a bigger conspiracy in the medical report and blood samples of the driver. Why were the samples in police custody for five days,” asked Diniz.
Incidentally, when the group of relatives and friends called on PSI Arun Andrew get some clarification on the facts, they claimed he was unable to give any convincing answers as initial investigation was carried out by PSI Remedios D’Souza, who was reportedly removed from the case.
The group then called Asst Director of Transport Sandeep B Dessai regarding the inspection and he explained that the accident site at Agramorod in Gudi-Paroda fell under the jurisdiction of Margao RTO.
The relatives demanded that the bus permit as well as license of the driver be cancelled.
Health Officer objects to media
presence at meet
QUEPEM: The Quepem Primary Health Centre Health Officer’s objection to the media during her meeting with relatives and friends has evoked criticism from social activists in Quepem.
The incident took place when the Health Officer Dr Lorna Fernandes refused to allow The Goan to click a photo of the meeting, on grounds that photography was not allowed in the hospital.
When asked who had given the orders, Dr Fernandes said there is a circular from Director of Health Services Dr Sanjeev Dalvi that no one is allowed to take photographs in the hospital.
Asked if the circular was also applicable to the media, she replied in the affirmative and claimed that a notice to this effect was posted outside the Casualty ward.
When attempts were made to call Dr Dalvi, to clarify if his circular was applicable to the media, his office staff said he was busy at a meeting and were uncertain when he would be available.
Criticising the decision to prevent media from clicking photos of the meeting, Patricia Fernandes, Convener of AAP in Quepem, said the media Press is the backbone of society.
