Team Herald
PONDA: Twelve years after its inauguration, the Ponda Sub-District Hospital (SDH) continues to struggle with inadequate medical facilities, forcing patients to seek treatment elsewhere. Despite being a four-storey hospital intended to provide comprehensive healthcare under one roof, it still lacks essential services such as a CT scan machine, an MRI machine, and a sufficient number of doctors.
The hospital is now back in the spotlight as seven out of its eight lifts remain non-functional, causing severe difficulties for patients, particularly pregnant women and those undergoing dialysis.
While minor ailments are treated efficiently, the absence of modern medical upgrades means that in cases of emergencies or serious conditions, patients have no choice but to travel to Goa Medical College (GMC) in Bambolim, which is 35 km away.
The problems plaguing SDH have been raised in previous Goa Assembly sessions. In the past, South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes, Opposition Leader Yuri Alemao, and Congress Party President Amit Patkar had criticised Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Jayshree Marcaikar over the hospital’s lack of general surgeons, CT scan machines, and other necessary medical equipment.
PMC Councillor Venkatesh Naik said most of the people in Ponda and surrounding areas heavily depend on the Sub District Hospital. “All essential medical facilities including a CT scan, required number of doctors should be made available by the government at the earliest and the concerned MLAs and ministers of from the taluka should also look into the matter in the interest of public.
Social worker Viraj Sapre highlighted that the post of surgeon has remained vacant for nearly 22 months. Additionally, a skin specialist is no longer available at the hospital.
“This hospital has effectively become a referral centre, as patients are frequently transferred to GMC due to a shortage of doctors and equipment. Now, with the lifts being out of order for over 15 days, patients are suffering even more,” he said.
Vishal Fadte pointed out that SDH is centrally located in Ponda city and, if adequately equipped with medical facilities and staff, patients would not have to be sent to GMC. “The vacant surgeon’s post must be filled immediately on a regular basis. Similarly, all non-functional lifts must be repaired without delay,” he said.
Before its renovation in 2012, SDH was a small hospital known as the ID (Infectious Disease) Hospital. After its expansion, residents of Ponda and surrounding talukas hoped it would provide better medical care. However, key facilities such as a CT scan are still missing.
Naresh Naik stressed that due to the absence of a CT scan and a full-time surgeon, poor patients are left with no choice but to rely on private hospitals, which many cannot afford.
Meanwhile officials at the hospital on condition of anonymity stated that the demand for a CT scan, a surgeon and other necessary facilities has been forwarded to the Health Department and is awaiting approval.
As patients continue to suffer, residents are calling for urgent government intervention to ensure that SDH can function as a fully equipped hospital rather than merely a referral centre.