MARGAO
In a development that has raised many an eyebrow, the tertiary multi-specialty healthcare Wockhardt Hospitals has stopped in-patient admissions and closed down the operation theatre (OT) and the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at its NUSI Wockhardt Hospital at Panzorconne-Cuncolim since the last few days, but the hospital s local head claimed that there are no plans at the moment to shut down operations in Goa. When The Goan contacted the Head, Wockhardt Hospitals Vinod Sawantwadkar to shed light on strong news emanating from Cuncolim that the hospital is shutting its operations in Goa, he asserted that there are no immediate plans to shut down the hospital. He, however, admitted that the hospital is presently operating only the Out Patient Department (OPD) and the Pathology lab (investigations) and has stopped admissions of patients, the OT and the ICU. “Yes, we have also downsized the paramedical staff and the doctors since the decision was taken to stop in-patients and close down the OT and ICU,” Vinod said. Replying to a question, he said the question of operating the ICU and OT does not arise when the hospital has stopped in-patients. “Right now, I can say that there are no plans to shut down the hospital. I have still not received any such information from the hospital corporate office till date,” Vinod said. Asked to explain the fate of the paramedical and other staff employed with its hospital at Cuncolim, Vinod said the staff has been given the option to join Wockhardt hospitals in other parts of the country. “As far as the staff hailing from the State who are not inclined to join Wockhardt s other hospitals, we will find out a solution,” he said. Tertiary multi-specialty healthcare Wockhardt hospitals had entered the State around half-a-decade ago in tie-up with the National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI).
what the hospital head says >>
No immediate plans to shut down the hospital The hospital is presently operating only the Out Patient Department and the Pathology lab The paramedical staff and the doctors have been downsized since the decision was taken to stop in-patient admissions and close down the OT and ICU The paramedical and other staff have been given the option to join Wockhardt Hospitals in other parts of the country A solution is being worked out for staff hailing from the State who are not inclined to join Wockhardt s other hospitals.
The question of operating the ICU and OT does not arise when the hospital has stopped in-patient admissions.””Vinod Sawantwadkar
