Locals want health centre at old Ribandar hospital in Goa

PANAJI: Locals of Ribandar appealed to the corporation of the city of Panaji (CCP) to set up a full-fledged urban health centre at the vacant old hospital in Ribandar under the Smart City instead of a day dispensary.
Ribandar councillor Rupesh Harlarnkar said a day dispensary didn’t work out in the past.
Advocate Aires Rodrigues said a 20-bed, 24 by 7 full fledged health centre with X-ray, sonography, CT scan and MRI facilities would help not only Ribandar residents, but take care of the health needs of residents of Old Goa, Corlim, Chorao, two panchayats of Divar, Chimbel and Merces.
This has been a long standing demand of the local residents ever since the GMC’s gynaecology wing was moved out of the complex in 1988.
“The cosmetic facility, which is now approved, is a cheap gesture to pacify the residents of Ribandar and will benefit no one as it would only be a waste of public funds,” the residents stated in their representation to CCP.
Rodrigues alleged that the local corporator and residents were not taken into confidence when deciding on a day dispensary there.
Panaji mayor Uday Madkaikar said a day dispensary is all that is possible in the 215sqm allotted to CCP in the old hospital. He added that the plan is to have a reception area to accommodate 30 people, an OPD, changing room, etc. He added that the rest of the space is being occupied by a bank, laundry, electricity department and the health department that has decided to give it to Ayush.
Madkaikar added that a full-fledged health centre would be difficult as it would have to fit the criteria and population in the area and require staff to manage MRI and CT scanning besides other experts. “Lets start somewhere,” he said.
Rodrigues said the delegation has sought appointments with the chief secretary, Ayush minister and would be seeking an appointment with the health minister over allotting more space for the full fledged health centre to be set up.