the goan I network
MARGAO
Will the amenities of the state-of-the-art 100 bedded ESI hospital improve after the visit of Labour Minister Jennifer Monserrate?
Jennifer’s visit assumes significance as it comes against the backdrop of similar visits by her predecessors, Avertano Furtado and Rohan Khaunte since the hospital was inaugurated half a decade ago by former Union Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes in 2014.
The Labour Minister’s maiden visit to the 100-bedded hospital further assumes significance as the hospital has been craving for attention on a host of issues, including manpower despite
being equipped with infrastructure.
As she went around with ESI hospital doctors and Margao MLA and Opposition leader, Digambar Kamat, Jennifer took stock of the situation and the requirements of the ESI hospital, which was first inaugurated in 2014 even before its completion.
Speaking to The Goan, Kamat informed that the Minister has sought details on a number of issues plaguing the ESI hospital, promising to call a meeting of the concerned officials to put the hospital on the right track.
“This is one hospital, which is equipped with many a facility, but there’s a need to plug the loopholes, by recruiting the manpower, including specialists to make the ESI popular amongst the working class,” Kamat said.
He pointed out that huge infrastructure set up at the ESI hospital is lying unutilized and the Minister has taken note of the suggestions to put the hospital on the right track.
“I have suggested to the Minister to explore the possibility of engaging a few specialist doctors at the hospital so that the labour class avail the facilities,” he said.
The issue over the five-cabinet mortuary set up at the ESI hospital was also discussed at the meeting with the Labour Minster.
The Margao MLA drew attention of the Minister that it was agreed upon on the floor of the House that ESI mortuary will be opened for storage of bodies for the general population.
“Since the mortuary unit at the hospital is all ready, I made a request to the Minister to allow storage of bodies which cannot be accommodated at the Hospicio for want of space,” Kamat added.
Jennifer assured to resolve the issue of handing over the ESI Morgue to Hospicio Hospital for day to day management.
Others who accompanied the minister were Dr Vibhav Gude, Sr. Physician, ESI, Dr Anil Chauhan, ESIS “ Panjim, Jayant Tari, Labour Commissionor, Narayan Navti, advisor to government, Manoj Masurkar, MMC Councilor, Laxmikant Naik, OSD to Minister, Samanta Quadros, OSD to Minister and Rajiv Naik, Pharmacist, ESI - Margao
