the goan I network
MARGAO
The long-delayed South Goa District hospital “ work on the project had started around nine years ago “ is finally ready for use and may come in handy for the government to utilize the 500-bedded capacity hospital in the battle against coronavirus.
After endless delays and failed deadlines, the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) has finally written to the Director of Health Services to take possession of the three-floors of the five-storeyed hospital building.
GSIDC General Manager Jude Carvalho told The Goan that while work on deep-cleaning is expected to be complete in a day or two, his office has dashed off a letter to the Health Director to take possession of the district hospital building. “We have finally reached the stage, wherein the hospital building is ready for commissioning. My office has written a letter to the Health Director to take its possession,” he said.
The GSIDC senior official informed that work on the top two floors, where the government plans to set up a medical college, will resume after the lifting of the lockdown on May 3. “The first three floors have a combined capacity to accommodate 500 beds. Work on the top two floors is almost complete and the balance work will be completed in all respects after May 3 when the lockdown is lifted,” he said.
Saying that work on the ground floor, which will house the casualty is underway, Jude, however, said the agency has completed work on the floor, connecting the lift, which will take people to the first three floors.
The GSIDC has connected the building with water and electricity, besides drinking water facility. Officials, however, said that procurement of beds and other medical equipment for the new hospital fall in the domain of the Health Services.
Official sources said it’s now for the government and the Directorate of Health Services to utilize the 500-bedded hospital, either as a quarantine unit or for some other health purpose taking Covid-19 pandemic into account.
Work on the hospital building was initiated during the Congress-led government headed by then Chief Minister Digambar Kamat around a decade ago. Work, however, dragged on for the last nine years after the BJP came to power, with deadlines and promises made by successive CMs only going abegging.
