The recent spread of jaundice comes as no surprise. With the callous attitude of the Government to the issue of public health, the blame for the current epidemic rests squarely on the neglect of the authorities to enforce the laws that were enacted to ensure that public health is maintained.
It took Chief Minister Parrikar a stop at Ponda for a limboo soda two years ago to realize that Matka existed in Goa. Has not the Chief Minister seen the mushrooming number of fast food gaddas all over Goa, which prepare and serve food in the most unhygienic conditions? Mr. Parrikar must definitely have frequented some of them, at least the ones near Alankar theatre at Mapusa. As a first step all these fast food joints should be cleared off the streets. Besides being unauthorized and unhygienic these fast food joints pay no taxes and follow no regulations as restaurants are supposed to. May be the authorities turn a blind eye to them as they are heartily content with the heavy hafta they receive from these illegal and unhygienic fast food joints. If the crack down on the legalized food stalls too has to start, it has to begin with the canteens at the Goa Medical College at Bambolim. The canteens are most unhygienic and their condition is pathetic. The overall sanitation and hygienic conditions in and around Goa Medical College at Bambolim needs immediate attention. Even if you are visiting a patient you stand all the risk of being admitted as a patient yourself. In recent years patients needing specialised medical care not available in Goa were sent to KLE hospital in neighbouring Belgaum. Recently, for reasons not made public the Government has discontinued sending patients to Belgaum and are now sending all medi-claim patients to Mumbai or distant Bangalore. When the best of medical facilities are available within three hours drive from Goa why make patients and their families travel all the way to Bangalore or Mumbai? Besides, in Mumbai even the patients with medi-claim forms have to deposit a big amount which though later refunded is not within the poor patient's reach. If the patients are satisfied with the high level medical care and attention being rendered at KLE, Belgaum one wonders why the Government has stopped sending patients to Belgaum. If the Government has any valid reasons it should make them public. It is hoped that Health Minister, Dr. Suresh Amonkar and Director of Health, Dr A. V. Salelkar will review this matter and allow patients desiring to get it at KLE to do so. Public health should be the Government's top priority. The increasing number of stray dogs and stray cattle on the streets all over Goa is a matter of great concern. The Government's casual approach is inexplicable. How many more people have to die of rabies for the Government to open its eyes? The public, especially the elderly and children should be able to walk the streets without being terrorized by stray dogs. We have to be able to drive on our roads and so-called highways without having cattle squatting all along. The Government has two options. Either take public health seriously or take immediate steps to construct more morgues. The choice is yours, Mr. Chief Minister. Aires Rodrigues Ribandar ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################
