PANJIM: In his maiden meeting with health officers, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane took stock of issues leading to increase in the number of referrals to Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC) in Bambolim.

He asked medical officers to draw a roadmap for their respective health centres and hospitals and provide suggestions in improving the health care scenario in the State.

“You will inform me the number of admissions in a day and if the patients are referred to GMC, then for what reasons. We don’t want patients to be referred to Goa Medical College all the time. We are also trying to review the functioning of the new buildings and I require your suggestions,” he stated.

Stating that he would track the functioning of hospitals on a day-to-day basis, he said, “I want every health officer in charge of every centre to send an email to me. You will directly send me an email informing about pending works including staffing issues, medicines, etc.”

Asking the doctors to review the hospitals and list the shortcomings, he said that doctors will have to inform him personally about the functional issues in the hospitals.

Rane further asked the doctors not to fall prey to any kind of pressure from anyone, however, influential, for a false medical certificate. He said, “Recently, I have come across an incident wherein an influential authority asked the doctor to issue a false medical certificate to put someone in trouble. Please do not fall for the pressures.”