Mapusa, Nov 25 (TNN): Just three years after it was commisioned, the health of the North Goa district hospital at Mapusa is deteriorating with a shortage of staff and absence of some facilities.

Important services like a intensive care unit, dialysis unit, laundry and washing of linen, separate kitchen and incinerator are yet to be provided at this state-of-the-art 350-bed hospital.

"Eighty five per cent of the improvement work at the hospital is complete. We have formed a special 10 member committee from among the 28 member visiting committee of the North Goa district hospital and allotted to them jobs for providing better services for the people," said Paresh Raikar, chairman of the visiting committee of the North Goa district hospital.

Sources said that the hospital's blood bank operates from morning till 8pm only because of the lack of staff. There is no shortage of blood at the hospital, but because of the lack of technical staff it cannot be kept open for 24 hours. The incinerator is not functional at this hospital because GSIDC which is maintaining the hospital is yet to buy a fuel pump to make it run. Presently, treatment of medical waste is taken care of at GMC.

There is a shortage of ten general duty medical officers while there is a shortage of 30 staff nurses at this hospital. "We have severe shortage of doctors and staff. Sometimes only one doctor is available in casualty. Without an ICU a hospital is incomplete, we are in the process of appointing medical officers and staff," said medical superintendent M Mohandas.

Looking at the present conditions in the hospital, it looks like there was absolutely no serious attempt made by the government to improve the health care facilities provided in this hospital, in fact the hospital lacks basic amenities.

"Certain things are beyond our reach, we are constantly conducting meetings at the hospital and give our suggestions to the government, little more cooperation from the director of health services is expected" said Paresh Raikar.

In December 2013, government had announced a 'first of its kind initiative in Goa', under which a NGO would take up dialysis treatment and said that patients will benefit as they will be charged very nominal fees at this district hospital. But, the facility is yet to start.

As the government had observed that the 50-year-old 190 bed Asilo hospital was impossible to upgrade, a new district hospital for secondary health care was ready in September 2011.