Locals set up panel to monitor healthcare at Tuem hospital

The newly elected members of the Tuem Hospital Infrastructure Supervision and Patient Support Committee while addressing a news conference.

PERNEM

A new committee has been formed under the aegis of the Pernem Taluka Citizens' Committee (PTCC) to monitor healthcare and all facilities at the 100-bed Tuem hospital, which has been officially linked to the Goa Medical College (GMC) hospital.

At a meeting in the new Tuem Hospital on Saturday, the Tuem Hospital Infrastructure Supervision and Patient Support Committee (THISPSC) was formed to monitor medical facilities to patients, availability of doctor, nurses and staff, adequate medicines and necessary infrastructure at the Tuem hospital.

Pranav Parab was elected president of THISPSC, while other office-bearers elected were Madhuri Gadgil, Devendra Parab and Nitin Patekar (Vice-Presidents) and Vinayak Kamat (Secretary)

Later speaking to media persons, Pranav Parab said the issue of linking the Tuem hospital to the GMC hospital had been going on for a number of years.

“It is only when people began protests and an agitation that the government finally officially officially linked the Tuem hospital to the GMC hospital.

“We have been informed that the Tuem Hospital will be inaugurated on January 30, but we are aware that all facilities will not be immediately available in the hospital. Since time is very short, we will meet and follow up with the health minister and the GMC dean to ensure that all facilities and services are available at the earliest,” he said.

“The people of Pernem taluka should be provided with all kinds of facilities in the hospital and this committee has been set up to monitor healthcare at this hospital.”

“Our committee will raise concerns and highlight issues pertaining to the hospital and will report to the PTCC.”

PTCC Convenor Adv. Sadanand Wayangankar insisted that job opportunities at the Tuem hospital should be reserved for people from Pernem taluka.

“When Mopa Airport was started, people in Pernem were hopeful of employment in the airport. But Pednekars did not benefit from Mopa Airport and instead, busloads of airport employees arrive from Sattari and Bicholim talukas. This should not happen in Tuem hospital,” said Wayangankar.

“The newly formed committee will monitor all facilities, treatment, services, equipment, manpower, medicines and infrastructure at the Tuem hospital. If patients do not receive proper care and facilities, they should report it to the committee members who are residents from Pernem town and all villages in Pernem talukas. The committee will then report to the PTCC for further action.”