The private medical college, slated to commence operations by June 2025, will operate under the administrative control of a trust, with the Chief Minister serving as its head. Additionally, the trust will include members from various political backgrounds, including the Leader of the Opposition and representatives from all parties.
At the same meeting, in order to enhance the healthcare infrastructure and ensure quality medical services, the cabinet also passed the authorisation for the appointment of staff, including nurses, on a contract basis to operationalise Intensive Care Units (ICUs) at South and North Goa District Hospitals. The cabinet also approved the provision of PET scan facilities free of cost to patients at Goa Medical College Hospital, a significant step towards enhancing diagnostic services and healthcare accessibility, alongwith approval for the creation of positions for a psychiatrist and social worker, addressing mental health challenges and providing comprehensive support services.
Goa’s primary health care infrastructure has been developed as a three-tier system – Sub-Centres, Primary Health Centres and Community Health Centres. The Sub-Centre is the most peripheral contact point between the Primary Health Care System and the community. The PHCs act as referral units for the sub-centres and provide curative, preventive, promotive and family welfare services. The Community Health Centres serve as a referral centre for PHCs. In addition, there are Rural Medical Dispensaries (RMDs) in remote and inaccessible areas manned by a Rural Medical Officer and Pharmacist and an attendant where regular OPDs are conducted. The Directorate of Health Services with its network of six CHCs, 25 PHCs (only 13 with attached hospitals), 219 sub-centres, 31 RMDs providing basic health care services akin to private doctors’ clinics. There are four Urban Health Centres each located at Panaji, Mapusa, Margao and Vasco, providing public health services in these towns. There are two District Hospitals, one in South at Margao and the other in North at Mapusa, alongwith two Sub District Hospitals at Ponda and at Chicalim. In addition, there are 14 homeopathic clinics, 34 ayurvedic clinics, 27 ophthalmic clinics and 33 dental clinics located at various PHCs/CHCs.
Despite the wide-spread system, Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC) at Bambolim, has been carrying the major burden of providing super specialty healthcare to not just Goans, but even to those from outside the State, including foreigners, at nominal fees. However, time and again the GMC has been in news for the enormous load it carries on its shoulders due to the lack of specialised infrastructure, including human resources at the periphery. GMC itself has been for decades suffering due to a crunch of staff and despite the Goa Public Service Commission advertising for recruitment, the positions have been vacant for a long time. To bridge the gap the government then creates ad-hoc positions on a contract basis, putting off any prospective talents from serving in the State.
A private institute is a lucrative business, especially in the medical field, and given Goa’s per capita income standards, the revenue opportunities are humongous. Those hospitals which have been running in the State with the alleged ‘blessings’ of the government are an existing witness to the huge opportunity in the hospital business. Thus, by approving to set up a private medical college, the government is taking the first step towards privatising healthcare on a larger scale in the State.
The proposed private medical college in Margao has been in the offing since May last year. And the known details raise questions about its establishment. Despite being a private institute, it will be headed by the Chief Minister and in order to keep the Opposition at bay, leaders from other political parties will also be embraced on the trust. Why so?
Everyone is aware that the fees in a private college are significantly higher compared to government colleges, whereas the quality of education and infrastructure can vary significantly.
When Goa boasts of institutes of national repute such as Indian Institute of Technology, National Institute of Technology, Goa Institute of Management, Institute of Hotel Management, apart from the Goa University, where students from across the country and overseas study, then what has stopped the government from approaching the Centre for a branch of the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences? Goa deserves and needs a publicly sponsored college to ensure better healthcare in every corner.
