Team Herald

MARGAO: Contractors Deshpande Constructions engaged by Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation dismantled the weak sections of Hospicio building on Monday. A proper assessment will be undertaken tomorrow (Tuesday) following which the repair work is expected to commence. 

It may be recalled that a part of the Hospicio Hospital gallery wrought iron grill had collapsed from the first floor and landed on a woman grievously injuring her. The victim one Rizwana Khan, an advocate by profession, had come to see a patient when the incident occurred. She was treated for her head injury.

When contacted, Hospicio Medical Superintendent Dr Ira Almeida said a proper assessment would be done tomorrow in the presence of GSIDC officials.

On Monday labourers dismantled the wall that was holding the grill on the third floor and part of it on the second floor. However, the entire area has been cordoned off and nobody was allowed to enter the area where the work was going on.

The extension of the Hospicio was inaugurated on August 31, 1989 by then Union Minister of State for Finance, Eduardo Faleiro in the presence of then Health Minister of Goa, Shaikh Hassan Haroon.

The third floor is abandoned and the female surgery ward that used to be there was shifted some time back. Notwithstanding Health Minister Vishwajit Rane’s instructions to close down the dialysis unit run on the second floor, it was business as normal for the private party running the unit and their officials present there refused to answer any questions.

The Female Medicine Ward on the first floor continues to be in operation but the Medical Officer on duty also refused to answer any questions.