No, because many of the tests are not done in government hospitals and people have to approach private hospitals/laboratories for complex tests. For e.g. cytogenetic test, karyotyping, CVS, amniocentesis, POC, FISH etc, people have to travel outside the state. The same is applicable where treatment and medicines are concerned. Finally, caring for the patient is the duty of every medical staff which does not exist in government run hospitals/health centres in the state.
Christalina Monteiro, Laboratory technologist, Merces
What is frequently seen in government hospitals especially at GMC is that they concentrate more on infrastructural facilities but less importance is given to administration. It is more of a teaching institution and caters more to the students then looking after the public health. Right from their records to the sanitation, the hospital has become very pathetic. As regards to the health centers, the doctors here immediately refer the case to either private doctors or GMC. They devote their time more to private practices.
Fatima Menezes Mesquita, Ophthalmic Surgeon, Vasco
Never satisfactory. People who can’t afford private healthcare have no option but to go to government health services. For any operation, for e.g. taking out a kidney stone, one has to go through several tests before the operation. To get it done at a government hospital will take a longer time, as they will call you for the tests over a one to three month period. When you’re dealing with a critical illness, it is not possible to wait for that long. At a private hospital, you can complete everything within a week’s time.
Francis Almeida, Pharmacist, Porvorim
The facilities are good in government hospitals but the system is not right. It happens that the poor people are the ones who suffer. They are illiterate and do not know how to get around. Invariably it is the public at the hospital that helps one another. One needs influence to get work done. The hospitals are short staffed. Hospicio hospital in Margao, however, seems to have a system in place. The staff are helpful too.
Bella Pereira, Social worker, Chandor
Courtesy: TOI
