PORVORIM: Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Thursday informed the Legislative Assembly that a cancer hospital will be set up in the State within the next 18 to 24 months. Speaking on the demands for grants for the Health Department for the current financial year, he said a special structure has been given by the Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, and once the OPD is started, the hospital will get doctors from Tata Memorial Hospital as well. Rane said diabetes and cancer diseases will be notified, and a registry will be prepared.
“We will not give South Goa District Hospital, Margao to any third party. We have received a proposal. The Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB), Bambolim will be given a new name. There is a need to increase the number of ambulances. We can give some medicines at subsidised rates which other States cannot,” Rane said.
The Health Minister said, “I do agree that there are delays in some of the tenders, but it takes some time. There have been reverse cases in many of the diabetes patients as efforts are being made to not only reduce the intake of insulin but also counsel the patients. Goa is the only state which gives insulin free.” The House later passed the demands for grants after defeating cut-motions tabled by opposition members.
