Team Herald
MARGAO: Even as the government brags about the smooth functioning of the South Goa District Hospital in Margao which has been operational for the last almost two years, patients and their relatives have sob stories to tell. They
allege that they have go through a lots of hardships, especially at nights as there are no 24×7 pharmacy services here.
Dr Deepa Correia Afonso, Medical Superintendent however stated that medicines were made available at the time of the emergency in the causality at nights.
Shockingly, the citizens and relatives of the several patients told Herald that they have to go to the commercial city of Margao or Fatorda to purchase medicines atnights and it makes it difficult for them to do so.
Presently, the pharmacy inside the Hospicio functions from 8 am to 8 pm and thereafter relatives of patients are forced to move out of the hospital premises in search of a private pharmacies to buy the medicines.
“My husband has been admitted here for the last few days. Just two days ago, I was asked to buy medicines at 9 pm but the hospital pharmacy was closed. I managed to walk to Margao city and purchased the medicines from a private hospital,” Nancy Dias informed Herald.
Clarifying on the issue, Medical Superintendent Dr Afonso admitted that the pharmacy is open from 8 am to 8 pm. “In an emergency, we dispense the medicines through the casualty. Medicines are being provided as per the availability in the Hospicio pharmacy,” she stated.
It has been revealed that the administration was forced to shut down the pharmacy at nights due to acute shortage of staff causing inconvenience to patients and their relatives,
“The plight of those who do not possess their own vehicles is unimaginable. On account of the shortages and non-availability of medicines, the doctors and hospital staff have bear the brunt,” said Savio Coutinho, social activist.
Presently, six elevators have been defunct for quite a long time, inconveniencing not just visitors, but doctors and hospital staff as well. At present just tow
elevators are operational, say sources.
Meanwhile, it has been also revealed that the relatives of patients admitted in the hospital and the public in general have to walk long distances to bring refreshments and food as the canteen a counter inside the Hospicio closes at 6 pm.
