Health officials interact with sarpanchas and panchas from Pernem taluka during an inspection of the Tuem Hospital.
Sarpanchas and panchas from across Pernem taluka have supported the opening of the Tuem hospital on February 2.
Speaking to media persons on Thursday after they and a team of heal officials inspected the Tuem Hospital, which has been linked to the GMC hospital at Bambolim, the sarpanchas and panchas said they welcome the government’s decision to start the 100-bed Tuem hospital on February 2.
They added that the required facilities and equipment can be added in a phased manner.
Earlier, health officials inspected the Tuem hospital and stated that the hospital will be formally inaugurated on February 2, with 13 OPDs to start in this hospital. They added that the casualty and other facilities will be available after one and a half months.
Others present during the inspection included Keri Sarpanch Dharti Nagoji, Mandrem Sarpanch Robert Fernandes, Tuem Sarpanch Amita Salgaonkar, panchas from various panchayats, Adv Sadanand Waingankar (Pernem Taluka Citizens Committee), Rajan Korgaonkar (Mission for Local), and Pranav Parab (Tuem Hospital Infrastructure Supervision and Patient Assistance Committee).
While Mandrem MLA Jeet Arolkar was unable to attend the inspection on account of an important meeting in Panaji, he told reporters that he would pursue with the government and ensure that all facilities and amenities are provided at the Tuem hospital.
“I will also follow up to strive that unemployed youth from Pernem taluka get employment in this hospital,” said Arolkar.
Tuem Hospital Action Committee Convenor Jose Lobo stated that State government should not only start an OPD, but introduce all facilities as prevalent at the GMC hospital.
He reiterated that instead of inaugurating the hospital and then providing services in a phased manner, the hospital should have been inaugurated only after ensuring all facilities were present in the hospital.
Advocate Jitendra Gavkar said that while officials inspected the hospital, it was not clarified whether junior or senior doctors would be appointed.
“Junior doctors will not suffice in special OPDs. Senior doctors should be appointed while the casualty should be started soon,” said Gaonkar.
Former Mandrem sarpanch and sitting Panch Bala alias Prashant Naik also spoke on the occasion.
