MARGAO
The South Goa district hospital has come under the scanner as information dished out under the Right to Information Act, revealed that around 270 patients have died in the hospital in the last six months.
The RTI information has further revealed that around 133 posts have been lying vacant, including a number of gyneacologists, surgeons, anaesthetists, etc.
District hospital officials, however, informed they will analyse the reasons behind the death of 270 patients during the six month period, from May till October, whether it could be because of the rise in admissions during the period or whether the deaths are attributed to the patients who have passed away in the hospital within six hours of admission or due to any other reason.
Hospital officials have further pointed out that filling up of the vacant posts lies with the government though the hospital had moved the file to the Health authorities for filling up of the vacant posts.
An RTI application dated November 1, 2022 was filed by RTI activist Santosh Gholap and the information obtained under RTI Act revealed lack of manpower at the district hospital.
While the total post sanctioned is pegged at 642, the number of posts filled up is around 509, leaving around 133 posts vacant. Of the 133 vacant posts, 90 are of doctors.
Gholap has called for the urgent need for investigation to be carried out by the police of Goa to bring to light the reasons that caused the death of 270 patients in last six months.
“Most importantly, inspite of being aware of the fact that there is lack of sufficient manpower, why the patients were allowed to check in when there is not sufficient manpower. Poor patients can think of alternate option of going to private hospital with the hope that they would atleast save their life even if it was at cost of selling either their gold, any property, etc or taking money on interest,” he said.
Incidentally, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane had promised to set up a cardiac unit at the South Goa district hospital before the 2022 Assembly polls. However, during his recent visit to the hospital, the Health Minister has now promised to put the cardiac unit in place at the district hospital only after setting up a full-fledged facility at the Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim.
