the goan I network
MARGAO
Saying that he has been running the dialysis facility based on a legal contract, Hospicio dialysis unit owner Dr Ventakesh R has said he has been running the facility ever since he had bagged the tender around 11 years ago with a provision for an annual increment.
He further claimed that he is being meted out harassment after he had demanded a CBI inquiry into the purchase of insulin based on a CAG report. “I had started the dialysis facility in 2003 as a pilot project following deaths of kidney patients in Canacona and other places. The pilot project was started without codal formalities to meet the emergency situation. However, when the government floated the tender in 2005, I had bagged it despite the fact that many corporates and private hospitals had participated in the bids. I am paid an annual increment of Rs 64.80 per patient,” he said.
“Based on the contract, the Supreme Court had adjudicated the matter in my favour by directing the government not to disturb the dialysis units at Hospicio and Canacona. But the government seems to be acting in an insane manner. Health Minister Vishwajit Rane feigns ignorance of the contract. A Minister may come and go as per the verdict of the electorate, but the legal contract remains,” he said.
After the week-long ding-dong battle with the Hospicio authorities, Dr Venkatesh had a smooth run on Saturday as he provided the dialysis to around eight patients. And, he and the patients are bracing up to knock the doors of the High Court on Monday with a plea to direct the Hospicio hospital to restore power connection to the dialysis unit. “I have run the facility with the help of the power connection from the water treatment facility atop the building. We are going to the High Court to seek a specific relief to direct the authorities to restore the power supply,” he said, while disclosing plans to move a contempt of court petition.
“I finished the dialysis of my patients at around 12.30 last night. And, we were back as early as 5 am on Saturday. Fortunately, the miscreants did not tamper with the power connection to the unit. All the patients were given the dialysis today,” he added.
To a question, Dr Venkatesh said he has till date not received any written or a notice from the Health Director or the Hospicio Medical Superintendent to vacate the premises post the fire incident. “They know they cannot serve a notice since the matter is sub judice. That’s the reason why they wanted to hound me out with the help of the police,” he said.
Meanwhile, the district authorities are believed to have taken stock of the situation, as the police seems to have impressed upon them to intervene as the issue may snowball into a law and
order problem.
