TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
BICHOLIM: The inaugural function of the Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Bicholim virtually turned into a “gram sabha”, with noisy interventions during speeches and politicians lashing out at each other at the function.
Even though the Bicholim PHC became operational a week ago, the government inaugurated it on Thursday in the presence of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, Health Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, Bicholim MLA Naresh Sawal, Pale MLA Dr Pramod Sawant, Mayem MLA Anant Shet and other hospital authorities.
In his speech, Sawal said he was not willing to be present for the inauguration. “We had demanded an up-gradation of the hospital to the status of CHC and the chief minister had assured in the Assembly that he would consider our request, but it never happened,” Sawal complained.
“People from Bicholim need proper facilities and doctors who could look after the patients,” he said.
“We don’t know about Valpoi or Sanquelim, but people from Bicholim will never say that they don’t need a hospital or that, it is too big for them,” stated Sawal, apparently referring to the health minister’s statement during his visit to Bicholim PHC that it is too big for the city.
He also doubted over chief minister’s promise that more facilities would be provided and Bicholim would be developed.
In his speech, Dr Sawant informed about the facilities available in the PHC and while he was trying to highlight facilities not available in the hospital, a person suddenly stopped him and asked the MLA to stick to his point and mention facilities available in the PHC.
Before the health minister could address the meeting, a person stood up demanding to know how refreshments were served in plastic bags, when the health minister himself has been carrying out a drive against the use of plastic.
Without naming any politician, Parsekar took an apparent dig a Sawal. “We treat all constituencies equally and a politician should keep his head cool. He should think of developing the constituency rather than publicly attacking those who are close to them,” said Parsekar.
“There are some politicians who at times support the government, while the next moment they try to oppose us. They should keep ice on their head and sugar in their mouth as a politician might not get another chance, so he should utilise it for the development,” added the health minister.
“We are coming up with a PHC at Mayem and there are many facilities in this new hospital. At times, people should appreciate the efforts rather than trying to indulge in cheap publicity and every time a person cannot attract the public with such things,” Parsekar cautioned.
Incidentally, Parrikar missed the verbal duels as he had left the venue before Sawal could begin his address.
In his brief speech, Parrikar said the government would take up the projects of the fire station, the police station and the Shivaji ground in Bicholim after the monsoon.
