Ailing health Centre Isidore Domnick Mendis Once the go-to destination for patients from over six villages in the vicinity ,Azossim-Mandur’s rural health centre is today in a decrepit state, with locals desperately seeking its revival . The Times of India , Goa, Tuesday , Aug 5, 2014 Times Panchanama-Azossim-Mandur-Tiswadi
Till a few years ago, the rural health centre in the seven-ward Azossim-Mandur village panchayat provided treatment facilities not only to local residents but to those from nearby villages of Carambolim, Corlim, Se Old Goa, Neura, Goa Velha, Agasaim, etc. It catered to diverse health issues, including eye ailments, diabetes, blood pressure problems, etc, and even deliveries were conducted at its one-storey precincts. It had field officers and they carried out checks throughout the village to ensure all toddlers had been given their immunization shots. The centre also attracted government doctors from across the state for their rural posting. Today this important 'lifeline' of the village lies decaying. Its iron pillars stand rusting, the roof has suffered damage and water has seeped into the structure. Most cases are now referred to the Goa Medical College (GMC) and Hospital, Bambolim. "The centre was an important health hub not only for our village but for patients from across Goa," says Durgadas Naik of Thorlem Bhat. "As a boy of 7, I remember going to the then maroon-and-yellow building which bustled with patients and doctors," recalls the 47-year-old. The facilities offered to pregnant women and infants benefited large sections of society, says Jyoti Naik of Dakhtem Bhat, recalling that the wards were segregated for men and women patients. "Our village is going through a poignant phase of its existence because of the near ruination of its health centre," she bemoans. Mahendra Bakal of Dhaklem Bhat, Dongri, concurs: "In its heyday, our rural health centre catered to a minimum of 100 patients every day. Today barely anyone comes, as the centre has neither doctors nor facilities." Countless representations to successive governments, including the present, and numerous unanimous resolutions passed in gram sabhas, demanding that the centre be modernized, have yet to bear fruit. Locals however have heard that the government plans to build a new centre by demolishing the old one. The foundation stone for the same is expected to be laid next month. "We have high hopes that the present government will finally restore to our rural health centre its erstwhile glory. It is distressing that our village of about 15,000 residents has a health centre in a decrepit state," says sarpanch Asha Madkaikar. Deputy sarpanch Samir Naik feels if the foundation stone is laid next month then "a modern rural health centre, catering to the needs of not only our village but nearby villages as well, will come up by June 2015". St Andre MLA Vishnu Surya Wagh says, "The rural health centre has a unique history-it was the first such centre in Asia. I am with the villagers of Azossim-Mandur and will do everything possible to revive the rural health centre at Dongri. I, along with my present government, led by Manohar Parrikar, are completely sincere about bringing it back to life soon." Problem Problem Ramshackle road The Pilar-Old Goa road, which runs through the village, is heavily potholed. "Many motorists have suffered injuries because of the poor state of the road," claims local resident Samir Naik. Stressing that the PWD has "failed to upkeep the thoroughfare", he points out that the road is heavily used by those using the Konkan railway station at Karmali and pilgrims during the novenas and feast of St Francis Xavier at Old Goa. Power problem Villagers complain about the power supply, which is much interrupted. "Almost every night, between 8pm and 10pm, there is a power outage. It would not be wrong to say that before our village goes to sleep, the electricity takes a two-hour nap," quips Mahendra Bakal of Dakhlem Bhat. Off line Telephone lines in the village go out of order regularly, claim locals, adding that the fault remains unfixed because the local office of BSNL has no staff. Top View We have high hopes that the present government will finally restore to our rural health centre its erstwhile glory. It is distressing that our village of about 15,000 residents has a health centre in a decrepit state Asha Madkaikar, sarpanch The rural health centre has a unique history-it was the first such centre in Asia. I am with the villagers and will do everything possible to revive the rural health centre at Dongri Vishnu Surya Wagh, St Andre MLA People's Take The rural health centre was an important health hub not only for our village but for patients from across Goa. As a boy of 7, I remember going to the then maroon-and-yellow building which bustled with patients and doctors Durgadas Naik, resident of Thorlem Bhat Our village is going through a poignant phase of its existence because of the near ruination of its health centre Jyoti Naik, resident of Dakhtem Bhat In its heyday, our rural health centre catered to a minimum of 100 patients every day. Today barely anyone comes, as the centre has neither doctors nor facilities Mahendra Bakal, resident of Dhaklem Bhat, Dongri