Santosh Naik
Ponda: Patients, pregnant women, senior citizens, and other visitors to the Ponda Sub District Hospital (SDH) are having a tough time accessing the medical facilities since seven out of eight lifts are malfunctioning currently. Those frequenting the hospital have called for urgent repairs to ensure that patients and their kin – especially those can’t climb stairs – are not
inconvenienced.
Viraj Sapre, a social worker and frequent visitor to the hospital for medical check-ups, expressed concern over the ongoing situation. He explained that since January 14, the hospital's lifts, including those designated for patients, doctors, and individuals with physical disabilities, have gradually stopped functioning. At present, only the lift at the casualty department is operational, but it too is prone to frequent breakdowns. As a result, patients, especially those with knee issues, pregnant women, and elderly individuals, are forced to climb up to four floors, which could exacerbate their health problems.
Sapre emphasised the importance of healthcare services and stressed that immediate action must be taken to repair the lifts. He called on both the Health Minister and the
Public Works Department (PWD) Minister to expedite the necessary funding and repairs. "Health is a priority service, and this issue should be addressed on a war footing to prevent further suffering,"
Sapre said.
The hospital's infrastructure has faced additional challenges, with the post of surgeon remaining vacant for the past 22 months. This has forced many patients to seek treatment at the Goa Medical College (GMC) or private hospitals, incurring significant costs for surgeries.
Moreover, Sapre pointed out that the hospital's skin specialist position is also currently vacant, leading to further delays in treatment for major ailments. He called for the upgradation of medical facilities at the SDH, as it serves not only Ponda but also surrounding talukas.
In response to the concerns raised, Dr Jayshree Marcaikar, the Medical Superintendent of Ponda SDH, confirmed that the issue had been reported to the PWD and that repair work for the defunct lifts is in progress. "We have informed the PWD about the situation, and they are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible," Dr. Marcaikar stated.
When contacted, the PWD Assistant Engineer (AE) responsible for maintenance in South Goa assured that all formalities for the lift repairs had been completed. "We are making every effort to conduct the necessary maintenance within the next two days, and the lifts will be operational soon," the AE said, adding that relevant agencies have been contacted to ensure the repairs are carried out promptly.