the goan I network
PANAJI
Amidst calls for his resignation on moral grounds from the Opposition Congress, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Sunday said he has issued directions to Goa Medical College authorities to ensure “electronic tagging” of all bodies at its mortuary besides proper CCTV coverage there.
Rane, who visited the Aldona home and condoled with the family of Januz Pavel Gonsalves, whose body was mistakenly disposed by the GMC as ‘unclaimed’ in place of another person’s corpse, said he has assured the family of strict action against those responsible for the goof-up. In a statement he issued after the visit, Rane said certain shortfalls in health infrastructure at the Aldona PHC pin-pointed by the family, including an ‘emergency facility’ and a dedicated ‘108’ ambulance for Aldona, will be put in place on a war-footing.
Meanwhile, the Agassaim Police also converted into an FIR the complaint filed by Giles Gonsalves, the brother of Januz, and booked “staff of Forensic and Toxicololgy department” of the Goa Medical College and Hospital for hurting the religious sentiments of the family and community. The FIR quotes offence under section 153-A(b) of the Indian Penal Code.
The bizarre swap of bodies at the mortuary had come to light on Saturday morning much to the shock and horror of the Gonsalves family whose members had gone to the GMC to take possession of it. In the absence of the body, the family was forced to hold a ‘memorial service’ at the St Thomas Church in Aldona.
The State administration, meanwhile, had suspended Dr Edmundo Rodrigues, the head of the Forensics and Toxicology department at the GMC. Two other staff responsible of the shocking mix up of bodies -- Machindra Jalmi and Prakash Narvekar -- were also suspended.
Rane said, he has requested DGP Muktesh Chander to consider shifting the case to the Crime Branch to ensure a thorough investigation and closure to the embarrassing episode.
In a statement after his visit to the family, Rane said:”I personally visited the house of Januz Gonsalves. With a very heavy heart I met his mother, his sisters and other family members & told them that I have come here with all humility to apologise.”
Rane said he also assured the family, that along with the local MLA Glenn Ticlo, a dedicated ‘108’ ambulance service in the Aldona PHC will be provided in ‘Januz’ memory.
Rane also said, that an emergency room to deal with all kinds of emergencies, just like the ones in Panjim, Sankhali and Canacona will be set up at the Aldona PHC.
Meanwhile, expressing shock at the mix-up of bodies at the mortuary of the State’s premier Goa Medical College, Aldona MLA, Glenn Ticlo on Sunday said he appreciated the “strong” and “very good” action taken by the health minister in the matter.
