TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Accusing the BJP-led government of being insensitive towards people and absolutely mismanaging the health sector, the Congress on Friday demanded action against the health secretary, health officials and other bureaucrats.
Addressing media persons Friday afternoon, Congress MLA and former Health Minister Vishwajit Rane alleged total collapse of the health system due to complete failure of the administration. He pointed out how the Goa Medical College and Hospital is being mismanaged due to shortage of medicines, tender frauds and lack of attention.
Without naming Parimal Rai, Rane accused ‘the Health Secretary’ of misguiding the government on the management of health sector.
“Since I was Health Minister in the past, I know how top bureaucrats misguide ministers. It’s high time that these officials take the responsibility for failure of the health sector,” Rane said. He added, “Bureaucrats must understand that Goa is not a holiday destination for them.”
The Congress party has decided to petition Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and Health Minister Francis D’Souza and demand an immediate reshuffle of the bureaucracy. The party has also decided to take up the matter during the forthcoming State Assembly session. “We want Chief Minister’s and Health Minister’s immediate intervention in the matter,” Rane said.
Pointing to the series of flaws in the health sector, the former minister said that GMC is currently reeling under shortage of medicines and patients are asked to purchase drugs and other items from private medical stores. “Even the people covered under the Mediclaim Scheme are asked to purchase medicines from outside,” he claimed.
Vishwajit said that one year down the line, the new morgue is still not operational, with bodies still being preserved at the old morgue. He also pointed to the collapse of 108 ambulance service, which according to him, is now managed by untrained staffers.
