A government hospital is primarily meant to treat the poor people who cannot afford treatment in private hospitals where the charges are exorbitant. How can poor people, who cannot afford even a square meal a day, be able to pay for costly implants like stents used for heart procedures and which are which are life-saving devices?
It is most unfortunate that poor people will now be presented a bill for their treatment at GMC which reportedly also includes bills for orthopedic surgeries, MRI scans, X-rays, radiology tests and even blood tests. As a result of this some people living below the poverty line may stay away from taking treatment at this premiere medical institute which is considered to be the oldest in Asia.
This could in turn raise the mortality rate in the state. It must be said that providing security and free health care to the citizens are the two prime functions of any state government and the government cannot shy away from this responsibility. The Goa government needs to bear the entire cost of treating those living below the poverty line and should not pass even a part of to them.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
