Catering to an estimated 1000 patients on a daily basis, the District Hospital at Peddem-Mapusa is devoid of many basic facilities and the shortage of manpower has also affected other services at the hospital
On paper, it is a medical centre second in importance only to the Goa Medical College hospital and is expected to cater to at least four talukas in the State. But the District Hospital at Peddem-Mapusa is devoid of many basic facilities, rendering the hospital in a critical condition.
To begin with, the district hospital ~ which caters to an estimated 1000 patients on a daily basis ~ has been virtually headless since August, after medical superintendent Dr Ruando De Sa retired on July 31. The Directorate of Health Services (DHS) issued letter on August 7, directing senior orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Shyam Talwadker, to handle the work of the medical superintendent. Since then, Dr Talwadker has been entrusted with the additional work as medical superintendent, in addition to his regular duties, which include surgeries at the hospital.
Adding to the confusion is the fact that the State government is yet to officially appoint Dr Talwadker as medical superintendent or deputy director of the District Hospital. Besides, Dr Tadwadker was due to retire from services last month, but the State government has extended his services for another six months.
The shortage of manpower has also affected other services at the hospital. “The district hospital requires at least six laboratory technicians to function at the blood bank for 24 hours. The DHS has still not been able recruit the required technicians though the full set up is ready. FDA granted permission to District Hospital on February 20 to start the blood bank,” a hospital source told Herald.
In the absence of required lab technicians, the district hospital is yet to start a blood bank despite receiving a clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA),” the source added.
Officials at the hospital are now worried that the failure to start the Blood Bank could have severe consequences.
“All equipment at the district hospital has been calibrated by the Electronic Testing Development Centre (ETDC). If the blood bank is not started soon, then the validity of the equipment calibrated at the Blood Bank will lapse and the district hospital will have to get the equipments calibrated all over again,” remarked a concerned hospital official.
Manpower shortage and validity of medical equipment are not the only ailments plaguing the district hospital.
It’s over a year since the district hospital has been claimed to be “fully functional”, but the kitchen and laundry facilities are yet to be set up at the hospital. At present, food for patients is being cooked at the old Asilo Hospital building, while hospital linen is sent to the laundry at the GMC hospital, adding to huge transportation costs.
The first meeting of officials concerned to set up the kitchen and laundry services at district hospital was held way back on November 3, 2011. The District Hospital then wrote a letter on April 17, 2012, requesting officials to immediately set up the kitchen and laundry facilities at the hospital.
According to sources, the Joint Director (Accounts – Health) immediately directed the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation to procure and install kitchen and laundry equipment in the district hospital, but the matter is still pending with authorities.
While patients receive food from the Asilo hospital, visitors at the hospital are less fortunate. In the absence of proper canteen facilities in the hospital, visitors have to either rely on a small counter in the hospital lobby for tea and few snacks or have to travel elsewhere in the city in search of food.
