Building Hospitals Not The Solution, There Is A Need Of Staff, Doctors & Equipment

While there is no doubt that Goa has the best health infrastructure compared to many other States in the country, one has to agree that there is huge scope for improvement of the health infrastructure.
Due to the immense load being applied to GMC, the new Super Speciality Hospital at Bambolim have reached a saturation point.
The state of healthcare infrastructure in Goa is a matter that demands urgent attention. Despite investing crores of rupees in the creation of new hospitals and medical facilities, the acute shortage of staff and modern equipment in these establishments has rendered them largely non-operational.
The situation has reached a critical point, and it is imperative that the government takes immediate and decisive action to address these pressing issues.
One of the most glaring examples of this infrastructural inadequacy is evident in the shortage of staff in various hospitals, including the prestigious Goa Medical College. The South Goa District Hospital and North Goa District Hospital, which should ideally serve as fully functional medical facilities, have been reduced to referral hospitals due to the absence of expert staff.
It is disheartening to note that even for cases as common as malaria and dengue, patients are being referred to GMC, emphasizing the severe lack of medical expertise in these designated hospitals.
Furthermore, the establishment of new hospitals such as SGDH, NGDH, and Chicalim Hospital has been marred by the absence of essential infrastructure and equipment. Shockingly, many of these new facilities lack basic medical machinery like CT scanners, MRI machines, and even X-ray equipment.
The severe deficit in support staff, including nurses and ward assistants, further exacerbates the issue. It is perplexing that such substantial investments have been made in constructing these buildings without equal emphasis on ensuring their operability and efficiency.
The unopened Tuem Hospital stands as a poignant symbol of this troubling state of affairs. Despite being constructed years ago, the hospital remains non-operational due to the chronic shortage of staff.
This deplorable situation underlines the urgent need for a substantial increase in the health budget allocation to address staff recruitment and the procurement of essential medical equipment.
It is evident that the current state government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, must allocate a larger budget to the healthcare sector.
The inadequacy of the existing budget has led to a myriad of unsolved issues, ultimately compromising the health and well-being of the citizens of Goa. The government’s responsibility does not end with the construction of new buildings; it encompasses the provision of sophisticated technology, equipment, and an adequate workforce to ensure the effective functioning of these medical facilities.
The time has come for the government to prioritize the allocation of resources to the healthcare sector. Proper maintenance of premises, the availability of modern technology, and the recruitment of expert medical professionals are fundamental prerequisites in ensuring that the substantial investments made in healthcare infrastructure translate into tangible benefits for the people.
By heeding these pressing needs and increasing the health budget, the government can demonstrate its commitment to the well-being of the citizens and pave the way for a robust and sustainable healthcare system in Goa.