Jose Maria Miranda
Early Saturday, Margao woke up to the shocking news of the passing away of a popular doctor, Mario de Sant’Ana Godinho. A pall of gloom descended on the town as the news trickled to his friends, admirers and especially his innumerable patients.
Born in 1955, Dr Mario graduated from Goa Medical College and started his practice in Cavelossim and later shifted it to his own residence in Margao, where it extended far and wide, even well beyond the borders of the town.
If medicine was his passion, his love for the poor and the downtrodden knew no bounds, particularly among his patients. Immersed in the work of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, he rose to become President of Goa Central Council. During his tenure several Conferences were opened. Despite his busy practice, he found time to enlighten and advise members, who lose in him a true mentor and guide and a great Vincentian.
Conscious of the vocation he embraced and despite the risks of the pandemic, which ultimately took his precious life, he felt his duty to succour those in need of his professional services. Jovial, simple, humble, accessible at all times, he captured the hearts of many of his patients who had in him a trusted and dedicated doctor and a sincere, affable and ever smiling friend and counsellor.
In his untimely demise, I lose a close cousin a bosom and loving friend and the people, especially of Margao, a wonderful human being, a noble soul and a devoted and much popular doctor. The only consolation we derive is that God took him away from us because He loved him more than we did. May he rest in the loving arms of the Lord. A word of appreciation to the true warrior Dr Rajesh Javherani of Victor Hospital, who spared no efforts to save his life.
