NT Reporter Pernem
A large gathering of Pernem residents on Sunday demanded the full-fledged operationalisation of the 100-bedded Tuem hospital—developed at an estimated cost of Rs 70 crore—by the upcoming Republic Day, warning of a mass agitation if the demand is not met.
The public meeting, held on the hospital premises and organised by the Tuem Hospital Kruti Samiti, saw participation from women, youth, senior citizens, social workers, and political representatives from the Congress, Goa Forward, AAP and others.
Speakers insisted that the hospital be linked to Goa Medical College (GMC) and offer comprehensive medical services. They also called for preference to Pernem locals in recruitment for staff at the hospital.
“This project began in 2013 and was meant to be completed by 2017. It’s been eight years of delays and changing inauguration dates. This is a glaring failure of the government,” said Devendra Prabhudesai, president of the Mandrem Block Congress Committee. “We will not allow the Community Health Centre to be shifted here or the hospital to be operated under the PPP model. It must open fully, linked to GMC.”
He added, “This is a public interest issue, not a political one.” Bhaskar Narulkar, a local social worker, said the government must act immediately if it truly intends to provide quality healthcare to Pernem residents.
Advocate Prasad Shahapurkar, Deepak Kalangutkar (Goa Forward), former Mandrem sarpanch Amit Sawant, Prashant Naik, Bharat Bagkar, Kishor Naik Gaonkar, Sneha Naik and others also supported the demands.
Meanwhile, local MLA Jit Arolkar said that the hospital building is ready and that the first phase—comprising 12 outpatient departments and a 50-bed facility—would be made operational within eight months.
