PANJIM: The Directorate of Health Services (DHS) has been coming down heavily on the households discharging sewage into the rivers as defaulters are being penalised with disconnection of water supply line.
The department has so far identified and issued notices to 4,240 houses including individuals, of which water line of 82 houses and 17 commercial establishments have been snapped for failing to adhere to the guidelines.
Health Minister Vishwajit Rane has said that action is initiated in compliance with the orders of the National Green Tribunal.
“There have been households releasing sewage discharges in rivers such as Sal, Zuari, Mandovi, Khandepar, Talpona, etc. We are taking strict action against them because it is causing water pollution. 82 houses have faced disconnection of water line and if the violation continues, their electricity supply will also be snapped,” he said emphasising that the action is not harassment but adherence to NGT orders.
Meanwhile, in another move towards strengthening the health sector, Rane said that they are contemplating to set up Umbilical Cord Bank, which could be used in the future to treat various diseases.
“There are 21,000 deliveries taking place in Goa every year. We have thus decided to set up the bank to store these cords — that has fluid loaded with stem cells — for later use,” he said.
The minster also added about another proposal for creating Mother and Child Unit in the Super Specialty. The need has surfaced owing to space crunch in the existing block at the Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim.
Speaking about State Organ Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO) in Goa, Rane said that they have tied up with Spain to manage the local organisation. The government has also selected one doctor from the GMC to pursue masters in organ transplant in Spain with two doctors to be selected for the training every year.
