MARGAO
Town and Country Planning Minister, Vijai Sardesai, on Monday asserted that the government is committed to retain Hospicio’s 150-year-old heritage structure, including the Hospicio Chapel (Sacred Heart of Mother Mary) located in the hospital premises.
Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao said that that the mission of serving the people started by Hospicio’s founder, Fr Antonio Joao de Miranda, a century-and-half ago should be continued in future in the new hospital, exuding confidence that the new infrastructure set up in the new district hospital will help meet the challenges on the health front.
“I want to communicate to the government the commitment that the Hospicio Chapel will be retained in the premises whatever may be the future plans of the administration regarding the Hospicio heritage structure once the medical services are shifted from Hospicio to the new district hospital,” Sardesai said in the presence of Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao after the Eucharistic celebration, drawing applause from the gathering.
The TCP Minister’s statement has for the moment set at rest speculations over the future of the Hospicio Chapel and at the same time raised doubts over the fate of the 150-year-old heritage building.
He has expressed hope that the transition in the new district hospital premises will be smooth and that the medical fraternity will face the new challenges boldly.
The medical fraternity and the citizens at large commemorated the 150 years of Hospicio hospital on Monday with an Eucharistic celebration coinciding with the feast of Immaculate Heart of Mother Mary in the hospital chapel, with Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao saying that the mission of serving the people started by Fr Antonio Joao de Miranda a century-and half ago should go on.
In his brief address, the Archbishop said the first thought goes to Fr Antonio Miranda, who had planted a small seed that has grown into a big institution. “He had a great vision to provide healthcare facility and also faced challenges. He suffered a lot and also faced insults because he had a dream,” the Archbishop said while praising all those people who had been part of the 150 years journey of dedication, service, love and care for the sick, suffering and who received a healing touch from the doctors, nurses and other staff.
Hospicio medical superintendent, Dr Ira Almeida, said Dr Miranda had started the 10-bedded Hospicio in a small six-room building and had purchased the palatial premises for Rs 13,000. “Fr Miranda had started the hospital with 19 patients. The figure is mind boggling. In 2017, Hospicio had attended to three lakh out-patients, carried out four lakh investigations, performed 40,000 procedures and admitted around 13,000 patients last year,” she said.
Director of Health Services Dr Sanjeev Dalvi stressed on the need to continue the yeoman service rendered by Fr Miranda of serving the cause of humanity.
