MY STORY (BY VISHAL RAJEMAHADIK)
I wanted to do a story on the Medial Department’s current Infrastructure and what a common Goan is being offered. So, ideally one would take the stock of ICU (Intensive Care Units) beds and ICCU (Intensive Coronary Care Units) beds along with Cardiac Ambulances and NICU’s (Neonatal Intensive Care Units), which is ideally for newborns and toddlers!
These basics are provided by the government, as service, so that a common man need not get into a panic mode, arranging for finances, in case he has to opt for these services outside the government premises.
So, to get the required data, I had first approached the Public Health department (via email) and then later, met the GMC (Goa Medical) College senior official, (who was kind enough to see me, though he was officially on leave). I didn’t know that this senior official was in his office, as I was headed to meet his PA, because I was told that this senior official was on leave. But since he was available, his PA told him about me seeking some information and he happily graced me with his presence. I still thank him for the meeting as he could have easily avoided a journalist while on leave.
START OF THE ORDEAL…THE FIRST ONE!
While I was scanning the internet for information and contact person’s, I came across a number 90110xxxxxx, along with a designation of “Director, Health Service”. Now, this number belonged to a very senior office bearer, to whom I had called, but the call was disconnected. I got a message stating that this person was in a meeting. There was a prompt conversation where the person messaging me told me to write an email to specialcell@#$@*****.com if I needed the information . Though reluctant, I promptly wrote an email, which had all my queries, and all this happened on the 27th May 2024.
After continuous follow up, today I was told by that person via message that,”I have retired from service. Please call Dr. Rupa Naik”!
I had to wrap my head around the fact that “retired office bearers’ numbers were still displayed on the official websites”! Are we even serious?
Anyways, I really appreciate the retired officer for sharing the fact that he/she had been retired and also that the contact number of Dr. Rupa Naik, Dy Director, (Public Health) was shared.
Will conclude the story about the conversation with Dr. Rupa Naik later, once I share my second ordeal. Let us all please note that, during the entire conversation with Naik, she only asked me my name and a sentence or two, while the entire conversation of 2/3 minutes, was being done with another lady, sitting next to Naik!
SECOND ORDEAL!
So, as journalists do, run after the required information, even I did, and was asking around how I could get my hands on the information! I stumbled upon Dr. Rajesh Patil (Medical Superintendent), located at the GMC.
The second ordeal started the moment I met Patil on Thursday 30 May 2024 and asked for the above information. I was told point blank that “you need to send us a letter or email”! Here, I reasoned that the information I am seeking is all about numbers and nothing in detail. Such numbers should be at the back of the hand of any senior office bearer. But then I was told that “We need to make sure there is no confusion”.
I again reasoned that it’s been more than a decade plus of journalism with various media houses and error is rare, especially when you quote someone or display the numbers! But still, my request went unheard! I left the building, a bit dejected! With no option, I sent them an email with my queries.
COMING BACK TO CONVERSATION WITH DR. RUPA NAIK, DY DIRECTOR (PUBLIC HEALTH)!
She seemed not interested in conversation as another lady answered or rather denied me any information and told me to write an OFFICIAL LETTER. She also told me that they were in receipt of my email (written on the 27th May on the email id specialcell@#$@*****.com) but didn’t know why I wanted that information. I reasoned with them as well, that my email had my signature (which had my experience mentioned), and also the fact that even my news portal information was there. I also asked that, if a letter was required then why didn’t any one bother to revert stating the same? Why was a week wasted?
I also placed a fact that the email I sent was from my professional email id (or what we call in common slang, a business email id). These email id’s have business name as their extension (which in my case was @insiderview.in), instead of gmail.com or yahoo.com. But there were no answers for my reasoning! That lady simply told me to write an official letter. Again, I left the building, a bit dejected but not before instructing them to reply to my email, stating their demands, which they did.
PRO MISSING….!
Such an important and big department like Public Health lacked a PRO (Public Relations Officer), who generally interacts with the media. A PRO would have not only handled this scenario in a more mature manner but would have also ended up building up a relationship. Maybe the office bearers feared giving any information, which they feel, might have boomeranged and they would have been answerable later. I have never come across such a wired protocol of sending emails or official letters seeking information, unless it is a RTI (Right to Information Act).
I shiver to even think of a reporter who might end up losing his job for failing to get information on time, considering these stringent protocols of the health department of Goa!
Everything said and done, I am still not able to understand that, even when an information seeking email, which was not required, but was still sent, then why would any sane person ask for an OFFICIAL LETTER?
What are your thoughts on the bureaucratic challenges faced by journalists? Share your comments below !
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