The Rural Medical Dispensary, which was set up to cater to the healthcare needs of residents of Headland Sada has lost track of its actual mission because of the government’s apathy. In the absence of proper facilities at the dispensary, the people of the area have to rush to Cottage Hospital, Chicalim or private nursing homes for treatment of even minor ailments.
Located on the ground floor of an old and dilapidated government building, the structure is facing issues like leaking roofs and walls, lack of space, non-availability of important medicines, no ambulance facilities etc. The request for repairs and filling of vacancies, however, is yet to see the light of day. “I’ve sent at least four letters to the PWD requesting them to carry out repairs because it poses a threat for patients as well as staff, but I am yet to receive any communication from them,” a medical officer, Dr Mithila Khandolkar told Herald.
Officially the dispensary gets over 50 patients (mostly for regular medical checkups) on a daily basis; but the doctors are helpless in providing basic medical facilities. Medical emergencies and most cases that come to this dispensary are referred to Cottage Hospital, seven kilometres away. “We are doing whatever we can with the available resources. We will be able to help patients in a better way, given better facilities,” said Dr Khandolkar.
Along with the patients, the staff comprising a doctor, a pharmacist and a peon also face numerous problems at the dispensary. The unavailability of drinking water and improper toilet facilities worsens the situation. Moreover, shortage of manpower and non-availability of a few crucial medicines have further crippled the dispensary.
During a recent meeting between the residents of the area, they criticised the health department for taking a casual approach towards the problems faced at the dispensary. “Appeals for better facilities have fallen on deaf ears. There is a limit to people’s patience. If the government does not take notice, the people will launch a movement against this injustice,” Sada resident Omkar Halankar said. The annoyed residents of Headland Sada have decided to hit the streets if the State administration fails to improve the conditions at the dispensary immediately.
The dilapidated structure is a stone’s throw away from the office of Power Minister and Mormugao MLA, Milind Naik. “I am aware of the situation and I have laid down two proposals. Firstly, I am looking out for another area to shift the dispensary to temporarily and in the long run, I propose to have a floor to set up the dispensary in the multipurpose building that will come up at Sada” Naik informed the Herald.
