PANJIM: Congress on Thursday raised doubts over the decision of some pharma companies to undertake various projects in Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity, which is being introduced for the first time in a government-run hospital.
The three projects include a new well for water at GMC, supply of over 100 computers at a cost of Rs 2 crore and supply of LED TVs.
“This is the highest level of corruption that has entered GMC because the doctors will be forced to prescribe medicines and medical equipment from these pharma companies and for which heavy kickbacks will be given,” Congress’ spokesman Trajano D’Mello alleged addressing media persons.
D’Mello pointed out that GMC, along with the Medical Council, are supposed to be custodians and guardians of the code of medical ethics and one of points of the code is of doctors or medical institutions not to receive money from any pharma company. “GMC being the guardian of medical ethics has thrown the code of medical ethics to the winds thereby opening the gates for corruption,” he added.
D’Mello said that the Dean has directed all HODs and faculty members to cooperate with these pharma companies. “The total cost of these three projects will be a meagre Rs 5 crore compared to the government pumping in over Rs 100 crore for the Deen Dayal Swasth Seva Yojana (DDSSY) medical insurance scheme,” he said. Congress has demanded that this move under the guise of social responsibility be scrapped.
