Meet on March 25 to discuss future of the centre
the goan I network
CURCHOREM
At present, the situation is such that water seeps through the ceiling at many places during monsoons, while the rear compound wall has collapsed, allowing stray animals to enter the backyard.
The solar water heating system is paralyzed in the absence of maintenance, while wash basins are in bad state.
When contacted, Sanguem MLA Prasad Gaonkar said the decision regarding Sanguem PHC will be taken at a special meeting on March 25.
“A decision on whether to upgrade the PHC or to retain it as it is will be taken at this meeting,” said Gaonkar, but refused further details.
According to sources, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is likely to visit Sanguem on March 25 and is expected to visit the Sanguem PHC.
Manoday Fadte from Sanguem said an acute shortage of staff and medical practitioners has forced people to stand in long queues to seek medical treatment. “This primary health centre needs upgradation and mere renovation will not help,” he said.
Another local, Madhu Gaonkar, said, “This PHC caters to about 45,000 people from Sanguem taluka and better medical facilities are needed. There has been a demand to upgrade this PHC since many years.”
“The Sanguem PHC building is over 100 years old. The extension block, which consists of an administrative block, the OPD, laboratory and pharmacy, was
constructed in 1987,” said Madhu Gaonkar.
Promotions and transfers of staff has led to a shortage of personnel at the PHC At present, the health officer’s post is lying vacant and one medical officer is managing the administration. There are four medical officers at the PHC.
“Sanguem PHC covers nine sub-health centers. This is a 20-bedded hospital, 10 for male and 10 for female, and over 100 patients visit this PHC on a daily basis.
