The citizens of Canacona taluka have once again called upon the Dean of Goa Medical College to send a medical team to carry out a detailed study of kidney problems that the people of the taluka are facing, especially those living along the coast and in hilly areas.
According to Santosh Gaonkar, Ex-Chairperson of the Canacona Municipal Council, the cases of kidney failures have increased in recent years and concerned authorities have not taken any measures to solve the problem so far.
Expert doctors from GMC and KLES Hospital, Belgaum have been called upon for help.
At least 60% of kidney patients at GMC are from Canacona. Additionally, many times, water samples were sent to the GMC which tested positive for hard water.
“Out of nine dialysis machines in the Community Health center, only 3 are functional. In the event that electricity fails, dialysis also stops after half an hour as the inverter has a low backup,” added senior citizen, Nathidad Desa from Char Rasta.
“Around seven to eight patients are treated in Canacona daily. Electricity failure is a regular phenomenon,” added dialysis technician, Amit Kumar. It may be recalled that some years back, the journalist association of Canacona headed by Soiru Komarpant, who along with the citizens of Canacona fought for basic amenities lacking in the community health center (CHC). Now once again, they requested the Dean to send a medical team to study the area as it could save the lives of many a youth who might fall prey to the illness.
According to prominent citizens of the taluka, the main cause if because of the water available in the area which is obtained from the Chapoli dam. The water is not treated properly at Shristall treatment plant. An old method is used to treat the water for the last several years and sometimes, the water is passed through the pipelines directly.
Water from the dam cannot be used for drinking. It should only be used for irrigation. The reason for this is that dead cattle are directly thrown into the dam or are washed away during the monsoons, along with other forest animals and garbage from the residents of hilly areas.
According to residents, the doctor at the center visits once a week and patients coming from far away face a lot of hardship as no private doctors are available in panchayat areas like Cotigao and Gaodogiurim.
