Dear Goanet Readers.
I was motivated to write this post after reading one from Valmiki Faleiro on Directorate of Transport. During my school days, I don’t remember anybody uttering the word Bribe or Corruption. But, as time passed by, and Goa became a State from Union Territory, the virus of Corruption was starting to spread. I remember the first bus agitation where the stakes were only a few rupees! I was involved in three agitations whilst in Medical school, and one was the famous “ Student Bus fair “ strike, where people like Judge Desmond Da Costa and Adv. Satish Sonak were involved.But, the professional institutions were still untouched, except for minor favors, until, the infamous “ Marks Scandal case.” The politicians involved, is a South Goa MP now.The tragedy about the whole thing was, one of the most promising, highly educated and upright “Goyenkar” was made a scapegoat. This is the time, Goans were already complaining about Non- Goans being employed in civil service with the excuse that we did not have qualified Goans! Health services were infected soon. One of my colleagues left the country rather than paying the hefty bribe. A highly qualified Specialist, left London to take up a job in GMC, but could not, as he refused to pay the bribe money. One of the nurses, who could not pay the bribe, threatened to commit suicide if she was not given the job.Instead of equipping the Goa Medical College, relatives were encouraged to buy the medical equipments so the patients were diverted to these private hospitals, who made big Bucks out of Mediclaime Scheme, which itself is becoming a big scam. When one of my colleagues wanted to donate an equipment , which is important to prevent new born deaths and mental retardation, the professor said it is a waste of time and suggested that we come out with a proposal with costs much higher than that.Yes, it all works on commission basis,higher the cost, more is the commission for the Minister. On one of my courtesy visit to Hospicio in Margao, I learnt how the air conditioning in Operating theatre was not working, Equipment worth lacs of rupees lying idle for lack of Ac room (I volunteered to pay the cost of Air Conditioners), no proper running water, rats running around the wards, filthy mattresses not changed for years, and it went on and on! I was told how the medical facilities were overstretched by influx of migrants and Goans were shying away from the Public Hospitals.These hospitals were a pride of our Goa once upon a time, where rich, middle class, ministers and senior civil servants availed of world class treatment. I watched the Senior Medical Officer, who cleared a whole lot of Medical reports for New job applicants and the smiles on the their faces! I thought to myself, here is one Niz Goyenkar, who is doing his bit to fight the corrupt politicians. He could have easily made his money out of all those applicants (but, I am sure, they must have paid bribe to agents of Politicians). The other instance was of one civil servant, who chose to get transferred instead of paying bribe to the minister! There are plenty of such type who are doing their bit to fight the evil system and the corrupt politicians at their own risk and they need support from all of us. Can we fight this evil? Yes. It needs a Political Solution. We need people like Valmiki Faleiro, Dr. Francisco collaco, Bhattikar, Patricia Pinto and Satish Sonak to join the political process. These democratically elected Dictators don’t care about morchas, meetings and Ultimatums. Even in a democratic and civilized country like the United Kingdom, the prime Minister went to war in spite of almost a Million People Protesting against it. Politicians only care about Loosing Power! Sonia Gandhi Promised Goans that she will give us a "clean and people friendly" government. They have been waiting patiently for months now. Perhaps, she is waiting Goa to Die, and then she can make a miracle, and then we can make her the Patron Saint of Goa! I am trained to save lives, and I cannot wait and watch my patients dying. so, I have decided to do something about it. regards Dr. Anesimo fernandes ________________________________________________________________________ More new features than ever. Check out the new AIM(R) Mail ! - http://webmail.aim.com
