Hospitals are finding it increasingly easier to get patients with the growth in lifestyle diseases due to lack of exercise, erratic and junk food eating habits. Seeing the need, there is a huge growth in the field of healthcare. Specialist clinics dealing only with disease like diabetes and stress ailments are mushrooming.
Big hospitals like Manipal Hospital in Dona Paula, Apollo Victor Hospital in Margao, Nusi Wockhardt Hospital in Cuncolim, SMRC ‘s V M Salgaocar Hospital in Chicalim, Campal and Vintage Hospitals close to Panjim, all have excellent facilities to treat all stress-related diseases. Some say that such ailment treatment is a part of their internal medicine wing. The list does not end here. A conglomeration of 33 well-know private practitioners from Goa as shareholders are setting up a super speciality 210-bedded Healthway Hospital at Kadamba plateau soon.
The most dreaded question one faces at the time of health crises is “where do we go?” This is a problem of plenty in Goa. Hospitals, clinics, laboratories have rapidly mushroomed all across the state and most of them are very well equipped to handle the most complex health problem. Yes, it is a very lucrative business in the name of service.
The next question arises as to ‘which one is cheap and good’. Most of the multi-speciality hospitals are now using all kinds of media whether print, outdoor, online, FM radio or television to advertise themselves and most of these hospitals in Goa have their own PR person. The customers are happy that they get to know about the hospitals and their specialities in a much easier way and can decide at the spur of the moment.
Avinash Fernandes who works with a private company in Goa said, “Despite seeing many advertisements, we heavily bank on the government’s Goa Medical College (GMC) as it can provide the best of services at virtually no cost. You only have to know the right contacts there as GMC is not as well organised as the private corporate hospitals are. I would not even think of a private hospital.” However, Jolene Lobo an employee with a private firm in Goa said, “Since it is close to my home and convenient too, I would first visit Manipal Hospital. Also, they do provide all facilities in healthcare under one roof.”
Director of Apollo Victor Hospital, Varun Albuquerque told Herald that, “the range of lifestyle disease is very complex today. Ranging from heart disease to digestive disorders to matters relating to weight and morbid obesity. The life style related disease treated at Apollo Victor Hospitals are under the broad category as under cardio diseases, diabetes, digestive disorders, bariatric surgery for weight loss, knee replacement for morbidly obese patients etc. We are also in the process of setting an international standard cancer centre which will be equipped with state of the art equipment. The treatment prices depend on the conditions of the patients, as usually patients with lifestyle related disease have multiple disorders.”
Marketing head of Manipal Hospital, Salim Yaragudi said that, “lifestyle disease treatment is part of our internal medicine and we specialise in cardiac related issues and we can tell you we are the best in this field with state of the art technology for treatment. We have the highest number of specialist (36), highest numbers of full timer doctors, highest number of corporate/TPA tie ups and highest numbers of six modern operation theaters.”
Amit Gautam, general manager of RG Stone Urology and Laproscopy Hospital, Porvorim said that “Goa branch started in 2008. We have all the facilities related to healthcare. In fact, we have the best blood infection detection system in Goa which saves crucial time and allows doctors to take quick decisions.We treat kidney related diseases with latest equipments. We are the only one in Goa to have 100 watt holmium laser machine for treatment of stones of any density and prostate of any size.”
Dr Rajiv Yadav, Administrator of SMRC’s V M Salgaocar Hospital said, “We provide quality treatment for lifestyle diseases like diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular ailments etc. The hospital focuses on creating awareness about the cause and ill-effects of these illnesses that remain hidden and only show up as emergencies.
SMRC hospital conducts extensive healthcheck /wellness programs for all sections of society. These wellness programmes provide a comprehensive status of one’s well being and timely detection of major illnesses.”
Noted gynecologist of Goa Dr Eugene D’Silva was very candid and said that, “In such a noble profession we must ensure that whatever we do the basic ethics of the profession must be followed. Personally, I am not in favour of cooperative system of medical treatment as all my references will be guided by my professional attachments. A patient, who is a customer, should get the best of treatment at the least cost.”
