The former BJP MLA Vasudev Meng Gaonkar from Sanguemconstituency has admitted that work on the hospital was neglected by previousgovernments.
He said “I had discussed this matter with the then CMDigambar Kamat and health minister Vishwajeet Rane but nothing happened”.
A perception amongst the populace is that since the sitting MLAfor fifteen years was a BJP member, the then ruling Congress
NCP combine ignored it.
Sanguem is the largest taluka area wise with over 40,000population with the northern tip of the taluka located on the Goa-Karnatakaborder.
The patient or casualty has to travel more than 40kilometers to reach the health center in Sanguem.
The reality is that even after travelling this distance thepatient cannot be treated due to the poor equipment. It is not uncommon totransfer patients to the Hospico hospital in Margao.
Umesh Goankar a resident of Bhatim Vilage said that it wasvery difficult for pregnant women to travel all the way to Margao.
In 2002, the then Health Minister Dr. Suresh Amonkar had visitedthe hospital twice while Vishwajeet Rane visited it once during his tenure.They had promised X-ray machines, a full time doctor and other necessities aspart of a push to modernization.
The mining belt falls in this region.
