Goa: Chicalim hospital's operation theatre awaits required staff

VASCO: Despite shifting to a new premises three years ago, the Sub District Hospital in Chicalim has not been equipped to commence its operation theatre. Although the hospital has recently been given equipment worth Rs 7 lakh under corporate social responsibility (CSR), it lacks expertise and required manpower.
Sources said that the old Chicalim hospital used to undertake minor operations.But ever since it has shifted to the new structure designating it as a sub district hospital, it has neither received equipment nor expertise to commence the operation theatre.
In fact, many politicians had assured that it would make arrangements to provide better health facilities at the hospital for people from the three constituencies -Mormugao, Vasco and Chicalim.
Sources told TOI that the hospital requires a surgeon, anaesthetist, a few nurses and multi-tasking staff.
Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation has been directed to complete certain civil works such as drainage system so that the hospital can kickstart its operation theatre.
The hospital is now planning to start with minor operations like family planning and cesarean deliveries if they get the expertise. They have been told by the Directorate of Health Services that the required expertise will be provided on alternate basis even if not round-the-clock.
Parshuram Sonurlekar of NGO ‘Goa First’ said that, “When we have a huge hospital built at the cost of taxpayers money, why are people of Vasco forced to go to far off places for surgeries? The families have to travel, make arrangements before shifting the patients to distant places, repeatedly visit the OPD of the hospital where the surgery was conducted, etc, when the government can easily make the doctors available here.”