SUNDAY, MAY 05, 2024
PRATIK PARAB
Margao: It’s a hospital. It’s arguably the best hospital in Goa in terms of size and facilities or will get there soon. But it’s quite a walk to get there if you don’t have your own transport and the majority of patients who visit this government hospital from far-flung areas of South Goa, do so on public transport.
Recently many operations including the out-patient department were shifted from the Hospicio to the District Hospital. Hospicio Hospital generally saw 250 to 300 patients every single day.
While the Hospicio, a grand heritage structure in the heart of Margao is accessible by all, the District hospital which is on the Highway from Panjim to Margao at the edge of the city near the main city bus stop. But buses do not stop at the hospital because a newly designated route has not been established to the hospital.
On Thursday, women with kids, pregnant women, elderly persons were seen walking to the District Hospital from KTC Bus stand. Herald walked that path and caught up with a lady Sukanti Talpankar on her way to the hospital. She said, "They shifted the hospital operations but there was no holistic planning done. I have come thrice now and was forced to walk till the hospital".
This route is not designated to any of the city busses. Hospicio was convenient as almost all the buses went passed the Hospital towards Margao.
Not just the patients but also the staff of the Hospital who come from long distances are forced to walk to the hospital and back due to the absence of transport.
Yellow & black passenger rickshaws have taken advantage of the situation and are now stationed outside the hospital. On Thursday at least 10 of them were waiting for passengers. "Not everyone can afford a rickshaw to reach the hospital. I request the Government to look into the matter and give some mode of transport for the persons coming to the District Hospital," said Minguel Niasso, another visitor who was polite enough to term this as a “request” when it is actually his right.
Meanwhile, the Road Transport Enforcement Officer, Vinod Arlekar when contacted said the District Collector has through a Gazette notification notify the District Collectorate as well as the District Hospital regarding a bus stand and only after this the RTO can go ahead and notify a route for buses along the route. The RTO Officer said till date there is no notification regarding a bus stand near the District Hospital.
