Margao, October 17: Health Minister Vishwajit Rane has directed the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) to inspect the persistent sewage leakage problem in Comba and submit a compliance report by Wednesday. He also assured youth leader and Madganvcho Awaaz representative Prabhav Naik that steps were being taken to upgrade the South Goa District Hospital (SGDH) into a fully equipped tertiary care facility.

The assurances came during the government’s Sarkar Tumchya Daari programme held in Margao, where Prabhav Naik raised concerns over the sewage menace and inadequate healthcare facilities in South Goa.

Taking cognisance of the sewage issue, Rane instructed the MMC Chief Officer to inspect the affected areas in Comba and submit a report to the Secretary, Urban Development. He also expressed his willingness to personally visit the locality, if necessary, to assess the situation.

Naik had submitted a memorandum to the Health Minister on October 16, highlighting the prolonged sewage leakage problem and warning of possible contamination of local wells, stormwater drains and the River Sal. He urged immediate remedial measures to prevent further environmental and public health hazards.

SGDH Upgradation: Cath Lab, Neurosurgery Unit Promised

Responding to Naik’s demand for strengthening healthcare infrastructure, Rane stated that the government had already initiated measures to improve facilities at South Goa District Hospital.

He assured that the hospital’s ambulance fleet would be expanded to strengthen emergency medical services. The long-awaited Cath Lab would also be commissioned soon, while facilities such as a neurosurgery unit and online payment services were among the proposed improvements.

Naik emphasised that SGDH must function as a comprehensive tertiary care hospital with specialist doctors, trained medical personnel, advanced diagnostic equipment and round-the-clock emergency services.

He pointed out that patients from South Goa should not have to depend on distant hospitals for specialised treatment when adequate facilities could be made available at SGDH itself.

While welcoming the Minister’s assurances, Naik urged the government to establish a clear timeline for implementing the promised improvements.

“The people of South Goa deserve quality government healthcare close to their homes. Assurances must now translate into concrete, time-bound action,” Naik stressed.

The Minister’s directions have raised expectations of action on two long-pending public concerns in Margao — the sewage menace in Comba and the need for comprehensive tertiary healthcare facilities at South Goa District Hospital.