Villagers seek written assurance from CM, warn of mashal march and hunger strike if delay continues
The Tuem Hospital Action Committee during their protest at Dhargal on Sunday.
PERNEM
The Tuem Hospital Action Committee organised a chain protest at Dhargal on Sunday. They demanded that Tuem Hospital should be linked to Goa Medical College (GMC) at Bambolim and that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant should give a written assurance. They warned that the agitation will continue if this is not done. The committee also said that a ‘mashal’ procession will be taken out on January 15 to step up the protest if their demands are not met.
Former Mandrem sarpanch and current panch Prashant alias Bala Naik said the government must give a written assurance about linking Tuem Hospital to GMC, as earlier promised by the Chief Minister. He also said local health issues must be resolved at the earliest.
Advocate Jitendra Gaonkar said the government is delaying the matter. He added that linking Tuem Hospital to GMC will benefit the entire Pernem taluka and that the hospital needs modern facilities. He urged Health Minister Vishwajit Rane and the Chief Minister to personally intervene.
Rohidas Arolkar warned that if the delay continues, they will go on a hunger strike.
Juze Lobo said the agitation will continue if the government does not link the hospital to GMC and shift the community health centre to the new building.
Sandesh Sawant and Congress leader Pranav Parab also warned that people will launch a large-scale agitation if the hospital is not started soon.
Kishore Naik Gaonkar said the building was constructed at a cost of Rs 100 crore using public money, but it has not been made operational even after several years. He questioned why the government is delaying healthcare projects in Pernem.
