Residents of Curchorem, Sanvordem and surrounding areas could benefit from better medical facilities in the near future, with Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral stating that the existing Curchorem upgraded Health Centre (CUHC) will be demolished and rebuilt as a modern 82-bedded hospital.
The existing CUHC was built shortly after Goa’s liberation and was inaugurated by then Union Home Minister Y B Chavan on October 23, 1967.
Speaking to Herald, Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral stated that the existing 60-bedded CUHC, which is similar to the Chicalim Cottage Hospital (Vasco), will be demolished completely in phases very soon as it is in a dilapidated condition.
“In its place, a new modern 82-bedded hospital building will be constructed under Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (GSIDC) on 9,314 sq mtrs of land. The new hospital complex will consist of a one-storeyed building,” informed Cabral.
The MLA informed that the ground floor of the new hospital will have an emergency ward and an operation theatre, beside a gyneacology ward, delivery room, female and male wards.
“All consulting rooms and OPDs, including Ayurvedic/Homeopathic OPDs, will be housed on the first floor. All medical facilities will be provided, including a mortuary and a 24-hour pharmacy” informed Cabral.
When contacted, CUHC Health Officer Dr Ganpath Kakodkar informed that the health centre has been providing basic necessary facilities to people mostly from the urban areas of Curchorem-Kakoda and the rural areas of Sanvordem, Panchwadi, Peri-udok, Bandol, Codli-Tisk, Assolda and Xeldem.
“X-ray, pathology, obstetrics, immunization, sonography and HIV testing facilities are available at this centre” informed Dr Kakodkar.
He also informed that ophthalmic, dental, gynaecology, causalities and general OPDs are also available.
“In October 2009 an ‘Emergency Room’ was inaugurated by then Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, where the patient could be give first aid and before being shifted to the Hospicio Hospital (Margao) or GMC hospital (Banbolim) if required” stated Dr Kakodkar.
According to sources, most doctors from CUHC do not reside at the Centre as two staff quarters are in a dilapidated condition. Though one residential building is not in very good condition, some staff have been occupying the premises.
S Naik, who resides near the hospital’s staff quarters complained of foul smell emanating from the damaged septic tank of the quarters.
“Due to this unbearable problem, some people left the quarters. Due to stagnation of water in the tank, it has become a perfect breeding site for mosquitoes. During the rains, the tank overflows and enters the homes,” said Naik and urged authorities to quickly look in the matter.
When asked to comment on the problem faced by residents in the quarters, Cabral replied: “All the staff quarters will be demolished in the first phase and new one will be built. A new septic tank will also be built as the existing tank is very old and damaged.”
