The Community Health Centre in Tuem has been lying neglected forthe past several years. Lack of maintenance has taken a toll on the structuregiving the building a shabby look. Hugecracks have developed on the walls of the entire building raising concern aboutthe health of the structure.
The health centre caters to the residents of Tuem, Parsem,Mandrem, Arambol, Keri-Tiracol, Korgao, Agarwada and Morjim.
It’s more than a decade that Tuem Primary Health Centre was upgradedto a Community Health Centre with the prime reason of offering better medicalfacilities to locals.
But unfortunately only some basic facilities are available atthe centre and the public has to either rely on facilities available at theMapusa district hospital or the GMC.
“The pathology department at the health centre does not functionto its full potential. On several occasions samples are sent either to thedistrict hospital in Mapusa or to GMC. It takes minimum of four days for theresult to arrive, which can be very crucial in an emergency,” said DaynandMandrekar, a local.
After the change in government more staff has been recruited atthe health centre, which has helped to a certain extent. But there is an urgentneed for better facilities. “The centre needs a larger blood bank facility,slides and wards to admit cases of burn injuries. There is also an urgent needof canteen facility for patients,” Shyam Chari, another local from the areasaid.
According to the Chariman of the Visting Committee, Uday Prabhu Dessaithe ceiling of the structure is also in bad state. “During the monsoon the roofof the health centre leaks. The state of the maternity wards is also quiteprecarious since the last six months,” Dessai said.
Since the health centre is centrally located, it needs to offerbetter facilities all year round. Otherwise the load of health care is shiftedto the district hospital in Mapusa or the GMC, Dessai further said.
“I wish to streamline land acquisition process for the healthcentre. I have plans of expanding the Tuem Community Health Centre by acquiring40000sq mt of land. Funds are sanctioned for repairs, which will be soon takenup after rains,” Health Minister and local MLA, Laximikant Parsekar said.
