Mapusa: The North Goa District Hospital at Peddem is set to receive four new mortuary cabinets at an estimated cost of Rs 17.96 lakh, replacing the over decade-old units currently in use. A senior health officer said that the process for setting up the new mortuary has been completed and the new cabinets are expected to be ready within six weeks.
Commissioned over a decade ago, the North Goa District Hospital has seen a steady addition of facilities over the years. However, with a patient inflow that has increased several folds, existing infrastructure has come under pressure. Challenges have arisen across various areas, from hospital space constraints to the need for upgraded equipment, streetlights, electrical works, and even improvements to the morgue.
The hospital’s current morgue houses three mortuary cabinets with 12 slots for storing bodies. Over years of continuous use, the cabinets have suffered from issues such as leakages, corrosion, and temperature control failures, despite repeated repair efforts by hospital authorities. The situation led to the need for a complete upgrade.
A proposal was subsequently moved to replace the existing cabinets, and the Public Works Department (PWD) electrical division floated a tender for the supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of new four-body mortuary cabinets (three units) at an estimated cost of Rs 17.96 lakh.
“We have floated the tender, it has been awarded, and the order for the equipment has been placed. Delivery of the material will take about four to five weeks, and installation and commissioning will be completed within 15 days thereafter,” a PWD engineer said.
It may be recalled that around two months ago, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane made a surprise visit to the North Goa District Hospital, during which various issues related to infrastructure and service upgrades were discussed.
Instructions were issued to ensure better facilities and services for the public.
