PANJIM: The healthcare sector, bruised by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic received a significant boost in the State Budget 2022-23 with increase in overall allocation by 12. 86 per cent.
The allocation to the health sector has been increased to Rs. 1970.20 crs which is 12.86 per cent above the allocation given in the previous year, which was Rs 1719.89 cr.
In a major decision, the government has proposed to open two critical care blocks of 50 beds each at Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC) and South Goa District Hospital with an outlay of 23 crs each from the PM-ABHIM scheme.
Two integrated public health labs (one in each district) and 141 Health and Wellness centers at the rural and urban level with the assistance of 15th Finance Commission Grants pertaining to the Health Sector will be opened where the focus will be on reproductive and child health, communicable and non-communicable diseases, palliative care and AYUSH services.
“Apart from the State budgetary allocation, the health sector will receive Central grants for various projects,” the Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant told media persons.
In his Budget speech, Sawant informed that a state of the art Tertiary cancer Care Center is under execution at Bambolim with a total outlay of Rs. 247 crs. It will offer advanced surgical and medical oncology treatment for all types of cancers.
A total capital provision of Rs 173 cr has been made to strengthen the infrastructure at GMC.
Government announced to start D.M. and M.Ch courses in superspeciality which is first of its kind in the State.
The Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB) is expanding its existing 190 bedded hospital by another 100 beds under Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Center of Excellence” at a cost of Rs. 53.82 crs which will include special geriatric, pediatric and also wards for mentally ill prisoners.
Further, expansion of Goa Dental College is expected to be completed by June, this year at an estimated cost of Rs. 92 crs.
“A new ESI hospital in North Goa, more preferably in Thivim will also be coming up soon,” Sawant said.
