MARGAO
Guess what is the government's plan vis-à-vis the over 150-year-old Hospicio heritage building – the centre that catered to the medical needs of South Goa citizens since it was set up by Margao-born Priest, Fr Antonio Joao de Miranda, popularly known as Padre Miranda?
It’s little over a year now since Hopsicio operations from the majestic building were shifted to the 500-odd bedded new district hospital, but there’s still no sign of the government coming up with any plan to put the magnificent structure to use.
Indeed, a visit to the site revealed that the heritage building lay almost abandoned. The security guards manning the entrance and rear gates bar entry into the complex.
A casual look at the building, however, gives an insight into the state of affairs, there’s no maintenance of the heritage structure and the surrounding area since the hospital operations were shifted to the new district hospital a year ago.
One can see wild grass and vegetation standing tall inside the complex. Trees have overgrown and are blocking the view of the structure from the main road, indicating that leave alone the heritage building, even the surrounding is not maintained.
A year has gone by since the Hospicio operations were shifted to the district hospital building, but the structure is not well illuminated, befitting its heritage status.
Take note, the wild grass and vegetation may be cleared within no time, but the moot question, remains unanswered – what’s the government plan for the Hospicio building, with fears being raised that the over 150-year-old heritage structure may crumble for want of maintenance and proper use.
The Goan understands that no maintenance of the building has been carried out over the last year. PWD sources, however, pointed out that actual maintenance and modifications, if any, can be undertaken only after the government unveils the plan of action.
Ex-Director of Health Dr Aira Almeida had planned to utilise the Hospicio building complex to house a wellness centre, Ayush, rehabilitation centre. Some of these facilities are housed at the building, but plans to spruce up the heritage structure with central funds are yet to take shape.
Sources further informed that the authorities have also not razed down the Hospicio annexe building, which was declared structurally unsafe nearly half a decade ago. Sources, however, said that the building can be taken up for demolition only after the shifting of the blood bank.
Plan on old Hospicio to be unveiled once govt takes call: Health Director
MARGAO:
Why is there so much secrecy maintained by the Health Department on its plan concerning the over 150-year-old Hospicio heritage building? Or, is the health department running out of ideas on how to go about putting the heritage building to use?
Pose a question to the Health Director Dr Geeta Kakodkar to shed light on how the Health department intends to use the old Hospicio building and she said the plan will be unveiled to the people once the government takes a call.
When her attention was drawn to the fact that the building virtually lay abandoned for the last year, the Health Director said: “Maintenance will be carried out as and when required.”
“The Health Department will unveil the plan vis-à-vis old Hospicio building once it is ready. There are many proposals. The plan will be made known after its finalisation,” she said.
Hospicio medical superintendent, Dr Deepa Correia said the government will take a decision on how to go about utilising the old Hospicio building premises.
Blood bank only major facility left at building
MARGAO:
Among the key facility at the old Hospicio building playing host even after the shifting of operations to the new district hospital is the blood bank.
Housed at the entrance to the building, the blood bank unit is yet to be shifted to the new hospital premises.
Reason? The new district hospital has a spacious provision to house the blood bank facility. Even though the facility is seemed to have been put in place, it will be commissioned only after getting certification from the Delhi-based agencies.
“There’s a lengthy procedure which needs to be complied with. Officials of the Delhi-based agency need to inspect the infrastructure before the certification is issued.”
District hospital sources informed that the blood bank is the only major facility left behind at the old Hospicio.
