While the Ponda sub-district hospital has treated many patients, especially those from low- and middle-income groups, locals have complained that it lacks vital services and facilities. They said that this compels them to travel to GMC, Bambolim, which is 35 kms away from Ponda, for critical medical services.
Incidentally, Ponda MLA Lavoo Mamledar had raised the issue at the last Assembly session and sought an upgrade of the medical facilities at the hospital.
As per statistics of last year, around 2 lakh people received treatment at the PSDH; the outpatient department (OPD) cases were around 1.22 lakh, admissions were 6,857, deliveries were 790, and lab tests were 73,249.
The PSDH was set up three years ago for Ponda taluka and surrounding areas. At present, it lacks specialist doctors, orthopaedic surgeons, and CT scanners, among other things. The hospital has 210 beds, and around 150 beds are occupied by patients, including children and pregnant woman.
The hospital has two ambulances and four drivers, plus a mortuary that can preserve 12 bodies. Sometimes, bodies from Hospicio Hospital, Margao, and other places are shifted to the PSDH due to space constraints.
PSDH Medical Superintendent Dr Pradeep Shinkre said that 12 doctors are working in shifts at the hospital. He has been in contact with the Health Department for more specialists.
“The hospital requires around seven doctors. There is one orthopaedic doctor, but another one is needed, given the high rate of accident cases,” said Shinkre, adding, “The twelve doctors available with us include gynaecologists, general surgeons, ophthalmologist, physician, and paediatricians.”
Viraj Sapre, social activist from Ponda, stated, “No doubt, the hospital is useful, but not to the extent of its sub-district status. It lacks far behind. We still have to depend on GMC for critical services. Even for minor illnesses people are referred to GMC in the absence of machinery and specialists to treat that particular illness.”
He further said that whenever the doctors or surgeons are on leave, patients have to suffer and opt for treatment at GMC. He said, “Many people from the taluka who had suffered grievous injuries in road accidents died on the way to GMC in the absence of facilities at the PSDH. There is a need to upgrade the medical services with more doctors and facilities.”
When asked about the locals’ complaints, Medical Superintendent Dr Pradeep Shinkre said that the hospital was providing good medical facilities and, but in case of emergencies, cases were referred to GMC. He also said that around seven more doctors were needed in the hospital to provide better facilities.
“The sub-district hospital was built after demolishing the old health centre; it started functioning in 2012. Twelve doctors attend to patients in shifts, and along with them, around 175 staff members, including nurses, ward boys, lab staff, and clerks, provide services. Additionally, some visiting specialists provide help for operations and checkups and taking them into account, all together 25 doctors provide their valuable services,” said Shinkre.
He continued, “The PSDH caters to people from not only Ponda, but also from Dharbandora and talukas of South Goa. It is most useful for needy and poor people. The number of operations and deliveries has increased in recent years. We need an orthopaedic doctor. Earlier there was one, but after his transfer to GMC, no orthopaedic doctor is available.”
Shinkre further said that, as per the 2015 statistics of the hospital, 350 to 500 patients arrived for a checkup daily. There were also 1.22 lakh OPD cases, and the number of patients admitted was around 6,857. On an average, 60 to 70 seventy deliveries were performed per month, and a total of 790 deliveries were recorded in the last year. He added that this is a valuable service for pregnant woman from the lower income group.
The number of lab tests conducted, was 73,249, X-rays done were 6,613, ultrasounds were 7,612, snake bite cases were 74, while dog bite cases were 683. A total of 1,627 surgeries of various types were performed.
