PANJIM: A circular issued by the Super Specialty Block of Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Bambolim on Saturday directing its staff not to consume food water or any item from outside located gaddas, shops or canteens since they were allegedly using water coming out of sewage treatment plant was withdrawn when it sparked a controversy.
However, within 24 hours the order was withdrawn after it went viral and attracted sharp criticism from Opposition Congress and netizens who alleged that the circular was issued to promote private catering contractors appointed by a minister
In a note issued on Friday, Dr Uday C Kakodkar, Nodal Officer, Super Speciality Block, said, "All the in-charge of different wards/sections/offices/casualty/pharmacy of super specialty block are hereby informed that local gaddas/shops/canteens/ existing on the street in front of super specialty block and Goa Medical College are utilising water from the outdoor garden faucets which itself as STP/waste water from SSB hospital which is not safe for drinking purposes and for cooking food. So please be careful while visiting and having food from these street vendors as it can have certain bacteria or a mixture of different chemicals, unhygienic to some extent."
The advisory underscored that the food and tea prepared by these vendors, using water from the outdoor garden faucets, may pose health risks to consumers. The water from these faucets was deemed unsafe for drinking and cooking, as it may contain certain bacteria or a mixture of different chemicals, rendering it unhygienic to some extent. The outdoor garden faucets are not intended for culinary purposes, as the water used for activities like watering plants, filling water balloons, or running sprinklers may not meet safety standards, the advisory had stated.
It was also stated that in view of these observations, the in-charges of the concerned wards, sections, offices, casualty, and pharmacy within the Super Specialty Block were urged to bring this matter to the attention of all staff under their supervision. Public and employees are cautioned against visiting or purchasing food from the kiosks and canteens located on the street in front of the Super Specialty Block, GMC, to mitigate potential health risks associated with the use of contaminated water for food preparation.
However, as the note went viral, Dr Kakodkar on Saturday issued another note stating that the previous note stands withdrawn, without giving any reasons.
The second advisory stated, "With reference to the above note, it is to bring to your notice of all the in-charges of different wards, sections, officers, casualty, pharmacy of Super Specialty Block that the said note stands withdrawn with immediate effect.
However, it was not mentioned if the water used by the kiosks and shops met safety standards.