TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: “Be wary of sabotage,” were words of caution Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had for the doctors and staff while inaugurating the new super specialty cardiac care block at the Goa Medical College and Hospitals, Bambolim. Parrikar also congratulated the doctors on the opening of the unit that will bring much needed relief to heart patients from in and around the state.
Speaking after the inauguration, Parrikar said that the newly commissioned cardiac unit faced threats from “external forces, especially those who are currently benefiting from the government’s mediclaim scheme would try to sabotage.”
“We need to work out a procurement mechanism to ensure that there is quick supply of surgicals and other purchases to the department in order that it is not sabotaged,” Parrikar said.
Later speaking to reporters, Parrikar said that the sabotage could either be done through delays in processing the procurement file with the administrative staff simply refusing to process it, or causing delays by raising unnecessary objections and minor points of law during the process.
What Parrikar was referring to was attempts by private healthcare players to render the cardiac unit at the GMC ineffective, in order that the private medical establishments could benefit from the ineffectiveness of the unit, as a result of the sabotage.
Parrikar also alleged that persons within the morgue were deliberately switching off power to certain morgue cabinets. “We have moved the switch higher and posted a guard where the switches are,” Parrikar said.
Health Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said that the inauguration of the unit will now make it much easier for patients to avail of the heart care in Goa. “Earlier, only because of the formalities that were required to avail of mediclaim scheme, many patients were deterred and used to end up dying at home in the absence of healthcare. Now this can no longer happen,” Parsekar said.
The Chief Minister also inaugurated a new canteen within the GMC’s college section and a new trauma ward. Later he also inaugurated the New Directorate of Food and Drugs Administration building at Bambolim.
