VASCO: Hundreds of aggrieved locals staged a protest rally condemning the poor medical services, the shortage of staff and non-functioning of some medical facilities at the newly upgraded Sub District Hospital at Chicalim.
Aggrieved locals confronted the officials who were in the joint meeting at Deputy Collector’s office at Vasco over the recent death of a Vasco youth who is believed to have succumbed to Dengue. Locals have asked government officials to solve the staff shortage and other medical services at Chicalim Hospital within ten days.
The locals condemned the lackadaisical approach of medical staff from Chicalim towards patients and the staff shortage in the newly upgraded sub district hospital. They held banners and shouted slogans condemning the poor medical services at the hospital which they claimed led to the death of 22-year-old Malcom Dias.
At the joint meeting, Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida, Vasco deputy collector Paresh Faldessai, MMC chairperson Nandadeep Raut, councillors, Fr Gabriel Coutinho and locals were present.
The locals complained of the nurses and other staff’s lackadaisical approach towards patients which can lead to dangerous situation. Local questioned if there is no medical staff, lack of facilities and poor medical services in Chicalim hospital then what is the use of having such hospital worth crores of rupees. They demanded that the Health Minister should visit the Chicalim hospital and acquaint with the sorry state of affairs.
Locals have served a 10-day ultimatum to put things in place in Chicalim hospital. A meeting is likely to be held on September 4.
A close relative of the victim, Henriquita said, “Malcom was admitted to Chicalim hospital on August 14 with high fever. We had to carry out blood tests in private labs. On August 16, 55,000 platelets count was found in the report. I feel if the Chicalim hospital lacked the facility on that day, then the medical officials should have shifted him to the GMC where Malcom could have been saved”.
She said on August 17, when doctors noticed blood discharge in boy’s fecal material at that time they decided to shift him to the GMC for treatment and while on the way to GMC the boy breathed his last.
She demanded that the concerned authorities should look into the Chicalim hospital matter.
Fr Gabriel Coutinho said it is very sad that a young parishioner died so early. It’s been seven months since the new Chicalim hospital premises was made operational, but still it lacks necessary medical facilities, equipment and staff.
He said healthcare should be the utmost priority of the government. Health Officer Dr Rajendra Borkar said, “In Malcom’s case we did the necessary things step wise, for example we examined the platelet counts, heard complaints of the patient. Till August 16, Malcom was stable. All required medical treatment such as IB fluids, antibiotics etc were given to him, but unfortunately, on August 17 morning Malcom vomited and there was blood in his stools. We immediately tried to shift him to GMC and made efforts to improve his condition but he didn’t respond to the medical treatment”.
When asked about the medical facilities and staff shortage, Dr Borkar said, “Chicalim hospital has two ambulances and three drivers but we need two more drivers to refer such cases quickly to GMC. We are facing shortage of housekeeping staff, the proposal has been sent to government and the authorities have assured us on this. With regards to facility management, the proposal has been sent to recruit some technical persons.”
