SANTOSH NAIK
PANJIM: The patients of the Ponda Sub District Hospital heaved a sigh of relief after six of the eight lifts were repaired, following persistent issues highlighted by the locals.
The authorities fast-tracked the repair work after O Heraldo in its February 2 edition, highlighted the hardship faced by patients, including pregnant women, dialysis patients, disabled individuals, and senior citizens, who were forced to climb stairs as seven of the eight lifts were non-functional since January 16.
Expressing gratitude to O Heraldo for highlighting the plight of the patients, Raghuveer Naik, a local said, “We thank O Heraldo for highlighting the issue of the non-functional lifts at Sub District Hospital, which led to the lift repairs.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Viraj Sapre, another local said, “It’s a massive relief to see the lifts working again. Now, patients, relatives, and even pregnant women can smile again.”
The repairs were deemed essential, as all outpatient departments (OPDs), wards, and other medical facilities are located on the first, second and third floors of the hospital, with the exception of the casualty department, which is on the ground floor.
The Assistant Engineer (AE) at the Public Works Department (PWD) in South Goa confirmed that six lifts have now been repaired, but two lifts are still out of order due to major defects, and their repairs are still underway.
Meanwhile, locals have urged the hospital authorities to provide additional medical facilities, including a surgeon, skin specialist, CT scan, blood bank, and MRI services.
When asked about these concerns, Dr Jayshree Madkaikar, the Medical Superintendent (MS) of Sub District Hospital, said, “All correspondence has been made with the health authorities regarding the demand for the additional medical facilities and doctors.”
She said that around 500 to 600 patients receive medical check-ups at the OPDs each day. However, locals maintain that the hospital still lacks major medical facilities despite its inauguration in 2013.
Raghuveer Naik remarked, “Patients are facing tremendous hardship as there has been no surgeon at the hospital for the past two years. Additionally, there is no skin specialist, and many residents who cannot afford private hospitals are left struggling.”
Sharing her concerns about the lack of CT scan and MRI services, Nayan Naik, another resident of Ponda, said, “In the absence of these services, patients have to travel long distances to the GMC. I even had to pay Rs 10,000 to conduct a CT scan for my daughter at a private facility.”
She added, “The government should fill the vacant surgeon’s position and provide the necessary medical equipment, such as a CT scan. In cases of accidents, the first hour, the ‘golden hour,’ is crucial for treatment. By the time an accident victim is referred to the GMC, his/her condition worsens, and, in some cases, they pass away before reaching the hospital.”