Team Herald
PANJIM: Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC) has informed that the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology is functioning with only one-third of the sanctioned staff and have initiated the process to revive the lapsed posts of multi-tasking staff (MTS) in the hospital.
In a reply to the Goa Human Rights Commission, which is hearing the matter on the missing body of Aldona local Januz Gonsalves, GMC Dean Pradeep Naik conceded shortage of MTS in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology.
“It is true that there is deficit of MTS in Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, GMC. The sanctioned strength of MTS in the said department is 19 (which include 13 postmortem attendants). The total number of MTS appointed in the said department is 8 (which include 5 postmortem attendants, out of which 1 is under suspension). Remaining posts could not be filled as they are lapsed,” he submitted.
The Dean further said in the one-page reply to the commission, “The administration of GMC has initiated steps to fill the vacancies of MTS. The recruitment process initiated has reached the stage of reference to Personnel Department for permission. The said reference is under active consideration of government. Procedure for revival of lapsed posts is also under process. The deficit of MTS is not acute. The department is working smoothly”.
The GMC came under scathing attack of the people of Goa when it handed over Gonsalves’ body to the Corporation of the City of Panaji staff for disposal along with two other unknown bodies last September. Conceding mistaken identity, the government suspended Forensic Head of GMC, Dr E J Rodrigues, junior technician Machindranath Jalmi and postmortem attendant Prakash Narvekar. The government has even terminated the HoD’s extension. The Crime Branch is also probing into the criminal lapse with a chargesheet expected soon.
Meanwhile, the Commission has adjourned the matter to March 21, when the Medical Superintendent is directed to submit its reply, after it failed to give its submission on Friday.
