CURCHOREM: Inauguration of the new Curchorem Upgraded Primary Health Centre (CUPHC) that was scheduled for December 19, has been deferred once again as some minor works that are still pending.
It would be pertinent to point out that the 60 bedded CUPHC that was demolished was inaugurated way back on October 23, 1967 soon after Goa’s liberation by then Union Home Minister Y B Chavan.
Goa Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (GSIDC) commenced construction of the new building on 9,314 sq mts of land in 2015 as it was planned to be upgraded to 82 bedded hospital with additional facilities.
MLA Nilesh Cabral had then announced that the ground of the new building will have an emergency ward, admission centre and operation theatre along with gynaecology ward with a delivery room and male and female wards.
The first floor would have all consulting rooms or OPDs including Ayurvedic and Homeopathic OPD. Cabral had also announced that the CUPHC would also have a mortuary and a pharmacy that would operate round the clock.
Although this PHC was upgraded many years ago, people were referred to the South Goa District Hospital due to non-availability of specialist doctors as the doctors were only general practitioners.
Health Officer Dr Megha Kudchodkar stated that the CUPHC has four regular medical officers who work in shifts while also attending to the sub health centers at Periudok, Bandol, Codli-Tisk, Sanvordem Tisk, Panchwadi, Assolda, Xeldem, Vodlemoll once a week while one doctor visits the Rural Medical Dispensary at Dabal every day.
"Gynaecologist is available twice a week, Paediatric and Mental Health doctors visit twice a month while the dentist is available on a regular basis,” she said.
Responding to complaints of the X-Ray section not working, she said there are only two X-Ray technicians appointed of which one is permanent and the other is on contract who she said are on duty from 8 am to 4:30 pm.