Team Herald

VASCO: The Chicalim Cottage hospital, catering to thousands of patients, is in dire state, while the new Sub District hospital building is yet to be inaugurated.

Local MLA Mauvin Godinho had earlier said that he wouldn’t allow the new hospital to be opened without staff. However, with 300-400 patients visiting the cottage hospital every day, it is time to open the new facility for the good of people. 

The worn-out roof, lack of beds and overflowing water, the Chicalim Cottage hospital has it all. Due to flood of patients, they are forced to share beds in the hospital. 

With the problems multiplying by the day, the patients have started questioning the government as to why it is not opening the new Chicalim hospital for public use. 

“Patients are sleeping outside the wards and the facilities here are too bad; the new Hospital needs to be opened for public soon,” a patient said.

The Cottage hospital has 30 beds compared to the daily admissions which presently clock 300-400. 

The Sub-district hospital’s new building has 120-bed provision and has been built at a cost of Rs 30 crore. The hospital has become the biggest need for Mormugao as it will cater to Mormugao, Vasco, Dabolim and Cortalim constituencies.  

“The existing Chicalim Cottage Hospital is falling short in terms of infrastructure and space. What the Health Minister is waiting for?” activist Tara Kerkar asks.