Daijiworld Media Network – Canacona

Canacona, Sep 11: Congress leader Janardhan Bhandari has urged the Directorate of Health Services to upgrade the Canacona Community Health Centre (CHC) to a Sub-District Hospital and strengthen its healthcare facilities, infrastructure and manpower.

Bhandari submitted a memorandum to Director of Health Services Dr Medha Salkar, highlighting the shortage of medical specialists, doctors, technicians, nursing staff and essential infrastructure at the CHC.

He submitted a nine-point charter of demands, sought an urgent joint inspection of the health centre and gave the authorities 15 days to address the issues, warning of further action if the situation remains unchanged.

Bhandari said the Canacona CHC is the only major health facility serving the entire taluka, which has a population of more than 70,000. The centre also caters to a substantial floating population comprising migrant workers as well as domestic and foreign tourists.

He said the growing healthcare needs, coupled with inadequate facilities and manpower, had placed the CHC under increasing pressure. The Canacona Congress, he added, had repeatedly raised the shortcomings and demanded improved healthcare services.

Bhandari also sought a comprehensive and updated registry of kidney disease patients in Canacona, covering their systematic monitoring, treatment and follow-up.

According to him, 114 patients are currently undergoing dialysis, while more than 400 others are awaiting treatment. He demanded a government scheme to provide financial assistance to kidney patients for medical treatment and called for the establishment of a research centre to investigate the reasons behind the rising incidence of kidney ailments in the taluka.

He further urged the authorities to ensure proper treatment for existing patients suffering from kidney and other ailments and take immediate steps to improve healthcare infrastructure, facilities and staffing at the Canacona CHC.