the goan I network
VASCO
In what appears to be sheer disregard for women’s welfare and safety, women have been forced to use male toilets at the Chicalim Cottage hospital for weeks.
What makes the issue serious is that the Chicalim Cottage hospital is the only sub district hospital in Mormugao Taluka and witnesses hundreds of people visiting the hospital each day.
According to sources, women visiting the hospital for treatment or to meet patients have to use a male toilet at the Chicalim Cottage hospital.
What is even more surprising is that a male attendant has been deputed to keep watch on the movement of males and females using the toilet to prevent any untoward incident.
Sources said some women had raised an objection, but the hospital said the matter would be resolved soon.
“Many women patients or visitors are very reluctant to use the male toilet, especially as there is a male attendant outside the door. They are helpless and are afraid to raise their voice as they probably feel the staff would harass them,” said the source.
Speaking to reporters, activist Vikram Sarmalkar said it was shocking that women were being made to visit male toilets. “I was shocked to see the situation when I went to visit a friend in the Chicalim hospital. Asked about the toilet, the staff told me that there was an attendant at the toilet. When I asked why an attendant was stationed there, they said there were no female toilets in working order and the attendant was there to prevent any untoward incident,” said Sarmalkar.
“Why can’t they resolve such critical issues? It’s high time they approached authorities and get portable toilets for women,” said Sarmalkar.
Another local Pratap Parsekar said the women’s toilet was closed. “Are authorities waiting for some untoward incident to happen? Why can’t they approach authorities and work out a solution,” asked Parsekar.
Female toilets choked: CCH official
VASCO: The Chicalim Cottage hospital head Dr Rajendra Borkar stated that the female toilets have been choked for many days, leaving only the male toilets functional for both genders.
“We have around six male and female toilets, but unfortunately the female toilets are choked as mud from the new district hospital construction site has entered the chambers. We have not been able to identify and rectify the problem,” said Dr Borkar.
“This is the reason why only male toilets are functional. Due to technical reasons, we have somehow not been able to get the chambers connected to the sewerage line. This is one reason why women also have to use the male toilets.”
He said the hospital had instructed its staff to ensure that the functional male toilets be temporarily used by both males and females.
“We have decided to keep one attendant outside the male toilets to monitor the movement of males and females.”
“We indeed have problems with soak pits, septic tank and chambers which have to be resolved fast or else, problems will increase in the monsoon,” said Dr Borkar.
