PANJIM: Following the Herald expose that the South Goa District Hospital is directing its patients to private labs for pathology tests, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Thursday ordered an inquiry into the matter. 

The Minister directed the Health Director to conduct the inquiry into the report and submit the report within 24 hours. “I have already asked Director of Health Services to conduct the inquiry and submit the report to me within 24 hours. A detailed inquiry needs to be conducted,” Rane told Herald.

The Minister said the inquiry will also deal with finding the reason why patients are being referred to private labs. “If necessary we will connect Wet lab of Hospicio with Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC) so that the patients don’t have to take services of private clinics,” Rane said. 

When contacted, Health Director Sanjiv Dalvi confirmed that instructions have been issued to the Medical Superintendent Dr Ira Almeida to submit a reply in the matter. “We are also conducting our internal inquiry. The report will be submitted to the Minister within 24 hours,” he said. 

Herald on Thursday had reported that a patient’s relative was shocked to find that Hospicio hospital, which caters to the health care needs of the South district, lacked the facility to conduct certain tests. The patient’s relative was asked to pay Rs 1,750 for the test.