From last several years Quepemkars are demanding a full- fledged well equipped Hospital in Goa’s oldest Town Quepem. This has been a long pending demand with the two other government hospitals located at Margao and Curchorem, both at a considerable distance for Quepemkars causing them a lot of inconvenience and depriving them of quality health facilities. However, the government has failed to recognise their demand even though the town has a municipal council having a population of over 30,000 and has another 30,000 people living in the surrounding villages of Sheldem, Ambaulim, Molkarnem, Asoldem and Kavre Pilla. All the people staying in these villages have been deprived of health facilities.
There is only one government Sub health centre at Quepem which is currently catering to whole of Quepem Town and surrounding villages. This sub-station at Quepem functions from morning (9 am) to evening (5 pm).
The sub-station has no proper facilities, no provisions for deliveries. There are no facilities to get x-rays or do blood check-ups.
This dispensary owned by government is only giving treatment for minor ailments like fever and cold and is also following school health programmes.
In the past people have held agitations for a full fledged hospital and had even taken a morcha demanding a hospital. At that time the government had spoken about upgrading the sub health centre into a primary health centre. However, the locals had demanded for a 30-bed hospital in Quepem.
The building for the proposed hospital was constructed but has not been used for past last four years.
“The people are asking why they have to pay the price for politics that is being played between the BJP-led government and the opposition. On top of that the sub health centre has not been upgraded to a primary health centre and the local population is facing the brunt,” said Glen Fernandes, a Quepem resident.
Recently a meeting was held with the Quepem councillors, Quepem chairperson, Quepem MLA, deputy chief minister and health minister, health director where the demand for the fully fledged 30-bed hospital was pushed forward. The topic of upgrading the sub health centre also came up for discussion. They also demanded that the hospital that be kept open for the general public and to begin the recruitment process to fill all the posts of doctors, nurses and other technical staff. They had also demanded that all the necessary medical equipment and machinery be installed at the newly constructed hospital.
The health department conducted a survey of the staff required for the hospital to function but have sanctioned only 25 per cent of the required staff which is not enough to run the hospital. It is to be noted that the same issue had come for discussion during the last assembly session.
