TEAM HERALD
TIVIM: Hit by allegations that drugs were clandestinely set ablaze by staff at the Casarvannem Health Centre in Pernem to avoid the additional workload of distributing it to people, the PHC Health Officer Dr Bansi convened a meeting with the hospital’s visiting committee chairman Sanjay Devidas on Monday to discuss the issue.
Dr Bansi assured Devidas that he would seek a thorough explanation from his staff over the issue and would identify those involved in the incident.
When contacted, Speaker and local MLA Rajendra Arlekar said the incident was due to the mischief of one of the staff members of the Casarvannem Health Centre.
“There was a batch of tablets that had been distributed in the villages of rural centers and sub-centres, of which some tablets were in powdered state and not in a solid state though it had not expired,” informed Arlekar.
“The batch of tablets was returned by the teachers and other distributors to Casarvannem Health Centre and kept aside in the storeroom. The matter was also brought to the notice of Director of Health Dr S Dalvi,” added Arlekar.
“A staff member took the tablets and burnt it in the backyard of the health centre and the same person called a reporter and photos were clicked. This reporter then contacted other officials and the report was published in the newspapers,” said Arlekar.
“Without any authorization from the higher authorities, the staff member carried out this mischief of burning the tablets and calling a media person. It may be due to some enmity among the staff members.”
“I have directed the Director of Health to identify the staff member who did this mischief and take strict action and investigate the matter thoroughly as early as possible,” informed Arlekar.
