PORVORIM, JULY 12
Mapusa MLA Francis D’Souza has stated that although over two years has elapsed since the completion of Rs 42 crore project of District Hospital at Mapusa, it is yet to become operational.
He was addressing the press conference organised by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at Mapusa on Monday.
“The people of entire North Goa are being denied good medical facilities by the government. The warranty on the machinery and equipments worth crores of rupees installed in the District Hospital have now lapsed. The government is spending several lakh of rupees every month on maintenance of the building,” claimed D’Souza.
“This is nothing but waste of public money. If the government does not start the District Hospital by August 15, then the people of Bardez will launch agitation from August 16,” warned D’Souza.
He further said that he had raised the issue of District Hospital in the Assembly Session in 2008 and was given a reply by the health minister that it will be started as early as possible.
“When the people took up the matter with the High Court, the government had given an assurance to the High Court that the hospital will go on stream soon. But so far, the government has not taken any initiative to start the hospital,” added the Mapusa MLA.
“The government is only fooling the people by giving false assurances. If the government is unable to get doctors, then why it is building hospitals spending crores of rupees,” asked D’Souza.
D’Souza stated that he had suggested to the Public Accounts Committee during their visit to the District Hospital that the government should start the District Hospital with basic facilities available at Azilo Hospital and later they can start the Superspeciality wing.
“The morgue section of the District Hospital if made operational would save hardships of the people. But the government does not appear to be bothered about the conveniences of the people,” added D’Souza.
BJP President Laxmikant Parsekar said when Vishwajeet Rane became the health minister, the people of Goa had high expectation from him.
“The people hoped that he will provide good medical facilities for the Goans. It is now over three years that he is the health minister, but he has not done anything worth noticeable to improve the health care,” alleged Parsekar.
“In my Mandrem constituency, there were three Rural Medical Dispensaries each having independent doctor. Now these dispensaries are functioning sans medical officers. The health minister is busy recruiting public attendants in hospitals from Sattari taluka,” claimed Parsekar.
“Hospitals need doctors and nurses and not the public attendants. The Directorate Health Services had selected 7-8 nurses from Mandrem constituency a year ago and these nurses have still not got appointment letters. Vishwajeet Rane has proved that he is not competent to handle the Health Department,” stated Parsekar.
Pernem MLA Dayanand Sopte, Saligao MLA Dilip Parulekar and Siolim MLA Dayanand Mandrekar were also present for the press conference.
