Daijiworld Media Network - Ponda

Ponda, Aug 24: South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes has urged Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to question Health Minister Vishwajit Rane over the pending file for procuring a CT scan machine for the sub-district hospital in Ponda.

“I’m told that the file for procuring a CT scan is pending with the health services,” Fernandes said, adding that if the government does not want the machine to be procured through sponsorship, it should purchase it using its own funds.

A company has already offered to donate a CT scan machine to the hospital under its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative.

The hospital, earlier known as the Infectious Diseases (ID) Hospital, was established in 1977. The foundation stone for the present facility was laid on January 20, 2007.

The 230-bed hospital was inaugurated on December 29, 2012, by then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. During Parrikar’s tenure, the facility was upgraded to a sub-district hospital.

Fernandes said that despite 15 years having passed, the hospital continues to lack essential facilities.

He questioned the government’s priorities, saying it spends crores on event management but has not been able to arrange Rs 3.5 crore for a CT scan machine.

The MP also raised concerns over the functioning of advanced cardiac care ambulances at the South Goa District Hospital and Chicalim Sub-District Hospital.

He said the ambulances remained non-operational for two months due to a shortage of trained technicians. Services resumed only after 108 ambulance operators arranged training for technicians.