the goan I network
MARGAO
If Hospicio nurses and security guards had fallen prey to dengue, triggering a scare in the hospital, the government-run hospital has come under scanner again as an inspection of its surrounding Saturday unearthed glaring deficiencies on the part of the authorities.
A survey of the hospital premises by Margao Urban Health Officer Dr Anju Kharangate and sanitary inspector Eusebio Silva has brought to the fore the stark reality that all appears not well around the Hospicio premises.
Health officials say the front side of the hospital, which plays host to the garden, is covered with a thick growth of bushes and vegetation and this has become a favourite breeding site for mosquitoes.
Dr Kharangate has now issued directions to the Hospicio authorities to clear the thick blanket of vegetation on topmost priority.
A couple of water accumulation sites within the hospital property have also come to light, especially towards the chapel side. Health officials say the accumulated water can become breeding sites if not attended on priority.
The inspection also found the lid of the septic tank open, prompting the health officer to call for closure of the lid and plug the seepage of water from the tank to the main road.
The internal drain opposite the operation theatre was also found clogged during the inspection, with the health officials issuing directions to get the drain cleared of the obstructions.
Says Dr Kharangate: “We have observed that the Hospicio premises, especially on the garden side, have become a resting place for mosquitoes because of the thick growth of vegetation. I have directed the hospital to get the vegetation cleared. After the vegetation is cleared by the hospital, we will again hold another inspection to see the ground reality.”
Hospicio Medical Superintendent, Dr Ira Almeida, was not present on Saturday, but a matron accompanied the health team during the inspection.
Around nine Hospicio staff nurses were down with dengue, while three security guards fell victim to the disease over a week, creating a scare in the government-run hospital.
The male medicine ward of Hospicio is full of dengue patients, with Hospicio Medical Superintendent Dr Ira saying that the hospital is still receiving five dengue patients on an average per day.
Meanwhile, another Margao Urban Health team went round the Agali area in Fatorda to carry out fogging and anti-larvae spraying. Sources said the team came across several breeding sites during the inspection, with health officials urging the local populace to cooperate by ensuring there are no breeding sites around their houses and in the neighbourhood.
