Team Herald
PANJIM: A day after the dialysis unit of Hospicio hospital was destroyed by a major fire, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, on Saturday ordered a probe into the cause of the fire.
A fact finding committee under Health Secretary Ashok Kumar has been constituted to conduct an investigation into what exactly went wrong resulting in the fire. The Minister is also awaiting a report from the Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services on the incident.
Rane, along with the officials of Health Department, visited the Hospicio hospital on Saturday morning. The dialysis unit run by Dr Venkatesh Reddy, located on the second floor of the hospital caught fire on Friday late evening. No casualty was reported.
“I have moved a note today to appoint a committee under Secretary Health to investigate the incident. The committee comprises Director of Health Services Dr Sanjiv Dalvi, Medical Superintendent of Hospicio Hospital Dr Ira Almeida, Under Secretary Health Dr Rajnanda Desai,” Rane told media persons post his visit. He said that the inquiry report would be submitted to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar for further action.
Speaking about the cause behind the blaze, the Minister said there are many possibilities but there can’t be allegations levelled against anyone without knowing the facts from the Fire and Emergency Services and also information from the place of the incident.
“In 2013, Health Department had issued an order directing the operators of the dialysis unit to vacate that place. However, he took us to the Supreme Court and as a result we were helpless to act further,” the Minister said adding, “For now we have decided not to provide electricity connection to the unit.”
Pointing out that 12 patients were taking treatment at the kidney dialysis unit, Rane said that all of them will be accommodated in the recognised units empanelled under Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana (DDSSY).
He said that Hospicio has outlived its life and there is need to immediately switch on to the new District Hospital. “Yesterday I held a review meeting on the construction of South Goa District Hospital. Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC), which is constructing it, has said that maximum six months time is required to complete and hand it over to us to put in operation,” he said.
Rane said the government is contemplating a phased functioning of the new hospital. He said the Chief Minister will chair a review meeting on Health sector on Monday.
