SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: An eleven-member delegation of Ribandar residents along with their corporator Rupesh Halankar on Wednesday called on Panjim Mayor Uday Madkaikar demanding a full-fledged medical facility for the area.
The delegation pointed out that since the Goa Medical College and Hospital was shifted to Bambolim in 1988, there had been a long-standing demand of the residents that a fully fledged health care facility be restored at Ribandar to cater to health needs of the locals.
However, the Panjim Mayor said that the issue does not come within the purview of the Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP) and that the demand be put forth before Health Minister Vishwajit Rane and Directorate of Health Services (DHS).
He further informed them that the Imagine Smart City Development Limited (ISCDL) under Smart City Mission will take up work of new health centre for Ribandar.
Earlier. during the meeting, the delegation including activist Adv Aries Rodrigues pointed out that in August 2017, the then Chief Minister (late) Manohar Parrikar had publicly assured the residents of Ribandar that he would ensure that within three months full medical care services and facilities would be restored at the old Goa Medical College Hospital at Ribandar.
Adv Rodrigues also drew the Mayor’s attention that besides catering to the health needs of the very densely populated Ribandar, this medical centre would benefit the residents of neighboring Old Goa, Corlim, Divar, Chorao, Chimbel and Merces.
The delegation said whatever space remains at the old Goa Medical College Hospital at Ribandar should be fully utilised only on projects for the benefit of the local residents with a full- fledged medical facility being a priority.
