MARGAO
Demanding that the government operationalise the Intensive Care Unit of the South Goa District Hospital on priority, Goa Forward Chief Vijai Sardesai has further proposed setting up of a monitoring committee to closely check the functioning of district hospital.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary, the Fatorda MLA has said the committee should prepare monthly reports highlighting shortages, issues faced by the public, and any lapses in service delivery, saying that transparency is crucial in addressing these challenges effectively.
Emphasizing that affordable and accessible healthcare is a fundamental right of every Goan citizen, Sardesai said, “It is our duty as responsible administrators to ensure that this right is upheld.”
Sardesai set a 15-day ultimatum to the government to resolve these critical issues, saying that failure to take concrete actions within this time frame will leave the people with no choice but to initiate peaceful protests outside the South Goa District Hospital premises until the government acknowledges the demands and takes immediate action.
“We trust that the government will prioritise the welfare of its citizens and act swiftly. The health and well-being of our people cannot be compromised any longer,” he said.
Touching on the overburdened hospital infrastructure, he pointed out that since the hospital’s relocation from the old Hospicio to SGDH, the number of beds has increased significantly.
“Consequently, the hospital experiences a substantial influx of patients daily. The Outpatient Department (OPD) alone handles up to 1000 patients every day, and the Medicine department manages around 200 patients. Casualty services receive over 100 patients each day. All hospital departments have reported an upsurge in patient numbers. However, there has been no commensurate increase in manpower,” he said.
He added: “Numerous positions remain vacant, including those due to retirements, and no new positions have been created. Moreover, the contracts of contract staff have not been renewed, leading to an acute shortage of Multi-Tasking Staff ( MTS).”
Pointing out the shortage in casualty Services, Sardesai said “in the casualty department, there is a significant shortage of both nurses and support staff tasked with transferring patients to the wards”.
Touching upon the promotions of doctors, he said that doctors have not received timely promotions, adding that vacancies resulting from the retirement of senior doctors are yet to be filled.
He further said that the surgical department faces a dire situation with only two consultants alternating their services. Unlike Goa Medical College (GMC), these doctors lack assistants, juniors, and interns, which places them under immense stress and strain, he added.
