the goan I network
MARGAO
Saying that no patient availing dialysis at the Hospicio unit will be left in the lurch, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane issued directions to the Hospicio Medical Superintendent, Dr Ira Almeida and the health authorities to ensure a smooth transition of the patients from Hospicio to the five dialysis centres empaneled under the DDSSY scheme, besides the Navelim Primary health centre and report compliance.
Ruling out resumption of the dialysis unit destroyed by fire at Hospicio for the moment, till the authorities, including the fire services, submit a report, the Health Minister issued clear directions to officials of health services after the patients and their relatives led by Navelim villager George Barretto met him during his visit to Hospicio on Saturday morning.
After it was brought to the notice of the Health Minister that around 12-13 patients were undergoing dialysis at the Hospicio unit, Rane told Hospicio Medical Superintendent Dr Ira Almeida to talk to the patients individually before relocating them to five different centres notified under the DDSSY scheme as per their convenience. “Relocate these patients to the five hospitals covered by the DDSSY scheme. Call the private hospitals and make sure these centres do not turn them back, and put them to hardships,” Rane told Dr Almeida.
“These patients may not know where to go. Inform them at the counter and issue them the letters with a copy marked to me. Phone the five centres and take appointments for these patients and send a report to me and ensure compliance,” he said.
George Barretto warned that the Health Minister and the Hospicio medical superintendent will be personally held responsible if anything happens to the 12-13 patients, since they have already missed the course on Saturday. “Don’t put the patients to hardships. My brother is one of the patients. We will not leave if something happens to any of these patients due to negligence of the health services,” George warned.
