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Remembering Aquino Braganca (b. 6 April 1924), who fought for freedom
of the former Portuguese colonies in Africa. An online tribute
http://aquinobraganca.wordpress.com/ (includes many historical
references, some photographs and documents)
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Do GOACAN a favour, circulate this email to your family members,
relatives, neighbours and friends. Help others be BETTER INFORMED
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GOACAN calls for a review of Hospital Safety in Goa
on the occasion of World Health Day
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On the occasion of World Health Day April 7th, GOACAN
calls upon the Government of Goa to take note of the World
Health Organisation (WHO) theme "Save lives. Make hospitals
safe in emergencies" and take the lead in making the Goa
Medical College Hospital safe round the clock for the patients
as well as draw up a plan of action to ensure the safety of the
District Hospitals at Mapusa & Margao as well as all the
Primary Health Centres across the State.
In a letter to the Director of Health Services Dr. Rajananda
Desai and Dean of the Goa Medical College (GMC)
Dr. V. N. Jindal, GOACAN has expressed concern about
the recent incidents where in the false ceiling and a ceiling fan
had crashed in the ward even injuring a patient in one case.
GOACAN is of the opinion that these incidents are a wake
up call for the administration to get its act together and
undertake a thorough Safety Audit of the Hospital so that
such incidents are not repeated.
The World Health Day 2009 focuses on the safety of health
facilities and the readiness of health workers who treat those
affected by emergencies. Health centres and staff are critical
lifelines for vulnerable people in disasters - treating injuries,
preventing illnesses and caring for people's health needs.
They are the cornerstones for primary health care in communities
– meeting everyday needs, such as safe childbirth services,
immunizations and chronic disease care that must continue in
emergencies.
This year, WHO and international partners are underscoring
the importance of investing in health infrastructure that can
withstand hazards and serve people in immediate need. They
are also urging health facilities to implement systems to respond
to internal emergencies, such as fires, and ensure the continuity
of care.
In letters to the District Collectors Mr. K.S. Singh and
Mr. R. Mihir Vardhan who also Chair the District Consumer
Protection Councils, GOACAN has called for a review of the
safety of health facilities, health infrastructure and the readiness
of health workers who treat those affected by emergencies at
the District Hospitals, Asilo at Mapusa and Hospicio at Margao
as well as all the PHC in the respective Districts.
GOACAN has made special mention of the new District
Hospitals being constructed at Mapusa and Margao in view
of the issues raised by World Disaster Reduction Campaign
theme 'Hospitals Safe from Disasters' which focuses on the
hospitals structural safety and ability to remain functional in
emergency situations, as well as on making sure the health
workforce is prepared to continue providing services in these
critical situations.
The issue of safe hospitals is about more than just protecting
physical structures and also about hospitals being safe from
disasters when health services are accessible and functioning,
at maximum capacity, immediately after disasters or in
emergencies.
GOACAN is of the opinion that a plan of action and bimonthly
monitoring so as to ensure the safety of the District Hospitals at
Mapusa & Margao as well as all the Primary Health Centres
(PHC's) across the State must be drawn up and the Hospital
Visiting Committees and Hospital Management Committees
must be taken into confidence in preparation of the same.
Copies of the representation have also been sent to the Chief
Secretary, Health Secretary, Medical Supdt. of Goa Medical
College Hospital, Dean of Goa Dental College Hospital,
Director, Institute of Psychiatry & Human Behavior, Principal,
Institute of Nursing Education at Bambolim, Medical Supdt.
Asilo Hospital, Mapusa, Medical Supdt. Hospicio Hospital,
Margao, Director of Fire & Emergency Services, concerned
Deputy Collectors and Taluka Mamlatdars who are associated
with the Disaster Management Authority in the State.
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GOA CIVIC AND CONSUMER ACTION NETWORK
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promoting civic and consumer rights in Goa
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GOACAN Post Box 187 Margao, Goa 403 601
GOACAN Post Box 78 Mapusa, Goa 403 507
mailto: [email protected]
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