MARGAO: Residents of Balli and the surrounding areas have urged the government to urgently enhance the infrastructure of the Balli Primary Health Centre (PHC) for essential health services. This plea includes the need for an ambulance service to transport patients to the South Goa District Hospital (SGDH) and addressing a persistent manpower shortage.
Issuing an ultimatum until January 15, residents stressed the importance of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant allocating necessary funds to the Health Department, which would address their demands. This comes in response to Health Minister Vishwajit Rane’s citing funding constraints, with residents emphasising the significance of addressing logistical challenges at the PHC.
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Accompanied by Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa, residents presented a memorandum to the PHC’s doctor, seeking a compassionate resolution. D’Costa clarified that residents aren’t placing blame but are urging the government to prioritise and resolve the challenges at the PHC.
Concerns were highlighted, including patient fatalities due to delays in transferring them from the Balli PHC to the SGDH, emphasising the critical shortage of doctors. The memorandum underscored that the PHC also caters to residents of the Cuncolim municipal area and various villages, such as Betul, Morpirla, Fatorpa, Barcem, and parts of Cola.
Pointing out deficiencies, the memorandum noted the absence of a resident dentist and limited visits by the cardiac doctor.
Residents expressed first-hand observations that the PHC, despite being a primary facility, grapples with insufficient medical resources and a severe shortage of support staff. Further, the memorandum noted prolonged waiting times for locals seeking treatment due to the lack of medical facilities and support staff, portraying an inadequately equipped Balli PHC ill-suited to cater to local requirements.
