Old GMC complex to remain with govt: CM
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, OCT 9
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat today assured that the old Goa Medical College (GMC) premises, which, is now being used for organizing IFFI, would not be handed over to any private party for its development as State doctors are having emotional attachment to it.
“This government has no intension to give away the old GMC building to any private firm for development. We will preserve it,” Kamat said.
He stated that the news related to handing over of building to private party was just a rumor.
“We all are emotionally attached to this imposing structure, especially doctors,” Kamat added.
Chief Minister was speaking at the inaugural function of 22nd GIMACON 2010, Annual State Conference of Indian Medical Association (IMA), Goa state. The two day conference will deliver lectures on Lung Cancer Therapy in India, Satellite lecture on Liver Transplant and on Breast Cancer.
Kamat’s assurance came after IMA, Goa state president Dr Shekhar Salkar requested the government not to hand over this magnificent building to any private entity.
“It should be retained in public domain and should be used for medical purpose, at least in part,” Dr Salkar said.
The state government in past had made an attempt to lease out the complex housing oldest medical college in Asia to a private firm to turn it into a mall. However, the move was strongly opposed by medical practitioners and heritage lovers.
CM said that there is need that doctors and government work hand in hand to come out with more developed health sector in the years to come.
“The government will make enough efforts to develop this sector in better way. What we need is suggestions from medical experts,” Kamat said.
Earlier, Dr Salkar stated that the public sector and private stakeholders in Goan medical field are at loggerheads.
“I don’t see why there cannot be a symbiotic relationship between the two. The two sectors can exist in harmony. Government should acknowledge that often the best talent in any stream and faculty belongs to the private sector,” he stated.
The president said that government should see it as its duty to provide boost to the private entrepreneurs instead of creating obstacles in their way. “Instead of favouring few, government must provide level playing field to all private players to ensure healthy competition,” he stated.
Director of Health Services Rajananda Desai, GMC Dean Jindal, Project Director of AIDS control society Dr Padwal, president of IMA Bicholim Branch Dr Medha Salkar, Director of Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai Dr Rajan Badwe and other expertise from medical fields were also present for the function.
