Ever since our Goa Medical College’s Ribandar hospital moved to Bambolim in 1988 there has been a long-standing demand of the local residents for a full-fledged healthcare facility. The setting up of that long-overdue full-fledged state-of-the-art well equipped medical facility at the now vacant premises of the Old Goa Medical College Ribandar hospital has to happen so that it is accessible and available around the clock for those requiring medical assistance.
In August 2017, the then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had publicly assured the residents of Ribandar that he would ensure that within three months the medical care services and facilities would be restored. To everybody’s utter shock, we are now told that what has been approved for Ribandar is just a day dispensary. This is absolutely unacceptable. We need a 24-hour well-equipped health centre which should have least 10 beds. It should also have X-ray, sonography, CT scan, MRI and other facilities. Besides catering to the health emergencies of the very densely populated Ribandar, this medical centre would also benefit the residents of neighbouring Old Goa, Divar, Chorao, Chimbel and Merces. This cosmetic facility by way of a day dispensary which is now approved is a cheap gesture to pacify the residents of Ribandar and it will benefit no one as it would only be a waste of public funds.
AIRES RODRIGUES, Ribandar
