The residents of Pernem in North Goa have received a significant boost to their healthcare infrastructure, with the much-delayed 100-bed hospital in Tuem finally poised to commence operations. Constructed at a cost of Rs 100 crore, the state-of-the-art facility is set to be affiliated with the Goa Medical College (GMC) in Bambolim, a move long demanded by the local community.
Inspection and Timeline for Commissioning
Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar confirmed the development, stating that the hospital will begin functioning in a phased manner. He indicated that some crucial departments could start operations within the next two months, offering immediate relief to the area. This announcement follows a detailed inspection of the facility conducted on Saturday by a high-level team. The delegation included GMC Dean Dr. Tiwari, Health Department Undersecretary Pranav Bhat, GMC Medical Superintendent Dr. Rajesh Patil, Health Director Dr. Kedar Raikar, and officials from the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC).
Community Pressure and Official Realities
The push to operationalize the hospital is the result of years of sustained pressure from the Tuem hospital action committee and local citizens, who have endured a seven-year delay. In a recent meeting, citizens had strongly criticized the hold-up and reiterated the need for the hospital to be linked with GMC for quality care. While the MLA has projected an optimistic two-month timeline for initial services, sources within the department suggest a more extended period for full functionality. Officials noted that after the GSIDC formally hands over the facility to the health department, it could take at least six months to become fully operational. Tasks such as shifting the dialysis unit and certain other departments to the first floor are among the pending work.
A Vital Lifeline for Pernem
The commissioning of the Tuem hospital is critically important for the Pernem taluka, which has lacked a major healthcare institution. Once fully functional, it is expected to drastically reduce the travel burden for residents who currently have to go to distant hospitals for advanced treatment. The affiliation with Goa Medical College is seen as a key factor that will ensure the availability of specialist doctors and high-standard medical services, transforming healthcare accessibility in North Goa.
