TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: This Primary Health Centre at Curtorim not only caters to the medical needs of Curtorim villagers, but people from as many as 10-11 villages, including far away places such as Navelim and Telaulim.
Strange it may seem, but the Curtorim PHC has no jeep at its disposal to conduct site inspections, while an ambulance is grounded in the complex for want of repairs. The old buildings used as staff quarters stand tall in a dilapidated state. Neither there has been any attempt to raze it down to make way for new buildings nor are these renovated and repaired.
That’s not all. Local residents led by Curtorim deputy Sarpanch J Santano Rodrigues have questioned the government’s delay in constituting the Hospital Visiting Committee for the Curtorim PHC, while eyebrows are being raised over the demand for a 108 ambulance at the centre to meet emergency requirements.
Says the Curtorim deputy Sarpanch: “The old and crumbling PHC staff quarters has turned the health complex into an eyesore. Villagers fail to understand why the unsafe buildings are not razed till date. The repairs and renovation of the PHC building have also not taken place till date”.
Rodrigues said the Curtorim PHC has been craving for attention and needs urgent upgradation to meet the growing health requirements of the people. “This PHC caters to people of around 11-12 villages in Salcete, with an estimated 85,000 population. Certainly, the PHC is in need of infrastructural facilities, including jeeps, ambulances, besides a good ambience,” he added.
When contacted, Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco said the PHC indeed is craving for attention. “The renovation and repair tender was issued and work will commence after the issuance of work order. Just today I have asked my men to clean up the entire area, including the thick vegetation growth inside the premises,” the MLA added.
