Govt to convert old Ribandar Hospital into 30-bedded full-fledged PHC

PANJIM: The State Government has decided to convert the old Goa Medical College (GMC) building at Ribandar into a 30-bedded full-fledged Primary Health Centre (PHC) to cater to medical emergencies of the residents of Ribandar, Chimbel, Merces, Divar, Old Goa and surrounding areas. 

The PHC, which will be set up in integration between GMC and Directorate of Health Services (DHS), will have facility to deal with emergency cases, diagnostic care, mobile X-ray machine and ultrasound machines, besides other facilities. 

Hours after, the Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant assured the delegation of the Ribandar Health Care Committee led by corporator Rupesh Halankar, that 24×7 health and medicare facilities would be soon set up at the old Ribandar hospital, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane along with Panjim MLA Atanasio Monserrate, GMC Dean Dr Shivanand Bandekar, DHS Director Jose D’Sa and others inspected the premises.  

Speaking to media persons after the inspection, Rane said the inspection has been done and it is not feasible to start the work in the present condition. 

“The condition of the building is very poor. It needs to be refurbished. Will request the Chief Minister to conduct inspection and issue directions accordingly,” he said. 

Rane said GMC along with DHS will work to have a 30-bedded full-fledged PHC for the people of Ribandar, Merces, Old Goa, Divar, etc. 

“Healthcare is very 

important and we just don’t want to create a facility for namesake. We want to provide all facilities and treatment under one roof,” he said. 

The minister said senior resident doctors from GMC will also visit the PHC on regular basis. “Initially, we will start with 30-bedded facility and will later expand it as per requirement,” he said. 

Rane, however, declined to give any deadline for commencement of the PHC stating “unless CM inspects the building, we cannot set the deadline”. 

Later speaking Monserrate admitted that Ribandar, despite being part of Panjim has received step-motherly treatment over the years. 

“The medical facility is a need of the hour,” he said. 

Monserrate said in a bid to expedite the work, would request the Chief Minister that the work be undertaken through Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd or Goa State Infrastructure Development Limited. 

Earlier in the day, a delegation of the Ribandar Health Care Committee met the Chief Minister to discuss their demand that a full-fledged Health Centre be set up at the old Ribandar hospital.  The Chief Minister assured the delegation that 24×7 health and medicare facilities would be set up soon. 

Adv Aires Rodrigues urged the Chief Minister that in public interest a full-fledged Health Centre at the old Ribandar hospital should come under the supervision and management of the GMC. 

Adv Rodrigues also drew the attention of the Chief Minister that besides catering to the health needs of the very densely populated Ribandar, the medical centre at the old Ribandar hospital would benefit the residents of neighbouring Old Goa, Corlim, Divar, Chorao, Merces and Chimbel.