PORVORIM
The sudden transfer of Porvorim Primary Health Centre (PHC) Health Officer Dr Shikander Talwar to the Sanguem PHC amid a spike in Covid cases in the area has evoked mixed reactions in Porvorim constituency.
While Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte has slammed the government’s decision to transfer Dr Talwar and to direct the Candolim PHC health officer to hold additional charge at the Porvorim PHC, the Congress has hailed the move and the BJP has sought the presence of a full-time health officer.
At present, seven staff members of Porvorim PHC have tested positive for Covid and their absence has seriously affected the PHC.
Penha-de-Franca, Socorro, Salvador do Mundo and Guirim fall within the jurisdiction of Porvorim PHC, which caters to about a population of about 51,000 in the four villages.
The government on Thursday transferred Dr Talwar to the Sanguem PHC and directed Candolim PHC Health Officer Dr Roshan Nazareth to hold additional charge of Porvorim PHC.
Upset over the transfer of Dr Talwar, Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte said Covid cases in Porvorim are rising every day and have crossed the 300 mark.
“In such a difficult situation, Dr Talwar was doing an excellent job at the Porvorim PHC and he has now been transferred. With increasing Covid cases, Porvorim PHC needs a full-time doctor. Is this the time to do politics, risking the lives of people? If casualties increase in Porvorim, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Health Minister Vishwajit Rane will be held responsible for it,” warned Khaunte.
When contacted, a Porvorim PHC staffer said the Covid-related workload and the absence of many staff members who had tested positive had put considerable pressure on the PHC.
“This PHC needs a full-time officer. Dr Talwar used to attend to phone calls and would also attend to general administration work. He would take quick decisions in times of need. Now staff will have to get in touch with the Candolim PHC Health officer for everything,” said the staffer.
Porvorim Block Congress Block President Adv Shanker Phadte hailed the transfer of Dr Talwar.
“He (Dr Talwar) was at the Porvorim PHC for quite a long time and his performance in Covid management at the Porvorim PHC had been very poor and unsatisfactory,” said Phadte.
“The Porvorim PHC is already understaffed because of Covid infections among staff and it needs to be adequately supplemented with more staff,” Phadte added.
