Team Herald
PANJIM: Labour Minister Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate announced that the State government will soon appoint an administrator to oversee the administrative functions of the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Hospital in Margao. The decision follows a review of the hospital’s condition during the 55th ESIC regional board meeting.
Monserrate stated, “The regional board assessed the situation at the ESI Hospital, Margao, and found significant issues. I will visit the hospital on September 4 with members of the Employees Association. We are considering appointing a retired officer, preferably from the health department or Goa Medical College (GMC), to manage the hospital’s administration and medical facilities, including addressing the needs for doctors and staff.”
The ESI Hospital in Margao, which was upgraded in 2014, will be monitored more closely to improve its functioning.
Additionally, Monserrate, who chairs the regional board, revealed plans for a new 150-bedded hospital to be constructed in Mulgao, Bicholim. The government has acquired land from the Goa Housing Board for this purpose. A compound wall is currently being built, and the hospital plans will be approved by the ESI Corporation, with construction expected to be completed within the next two years.
The board also approved the establishment of a new dispensary at the Cuncolim industrial estate and the upgrading of existing dispensaries at Verna and Pilerne industrial estates.
Monserrate further clarified that the proposal to form a State ESI Society was rejected. “The Union government had proposed forming an ESI Society, but we found no added benefits for workers and staff. We will continue with the ESI schemes as they are,” he said.
Regarding staffing, Monserrate mentioned that the government has requested the Goa Public Service Commission (GPSC) to fill vacant doctor positions and will also recruit doctors on a contract basis to ensure the hospital’s smooth operation.