Health Minister Vishwajit Rane has unveiled a series of transformative initiatives aimed at significantly strengthening healthcare infrastructure across Goa, with a particular focus on the North and South Goa District Hospitals.
A major highlight is the upcoming commissioning of a full-fledged Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at NGDH. The infrastructure for an eight-bed ICU is already in place, and the unit is expected to be operational in the coming weeks once specialized medical personnel are appointed. This enhancement is set to greatly improve critical care services in North Goa and reduce patient referrals to the Goa Medical College.
To further support medical staff, Minister Rane announced salary increases for both Junior and Senior Resident doctors at NGDH. This move is intended to attract and retain qualified professionals, boosting the hospital’s capacity to provide quality care. He also addressed staffing imbalances, noting that some doctors have remained in the same postings for prolonged periods. Rane assured that these transfers will be addressed soon to ensure a fair and effective distribution of medical expertise across the state.
Turning attention to South Goa, Rane emphasized that his success as Health Minister hinges on fully upgrading SGDH into a tertiary care hospital. Over the next two to three months, SGDH will see the establishment of specialized departments, including cardiology, orthopedics, and neurology, complementing its already functional ICU. These developments aim to eliminate the need for patients to travel to the Goa Medical College for advanced care.
To support these upgrades, the government is actively recruiting additional doctors and healthcare staff. Emergency services will also be enhanced with the provision of new ambulances to improve response times.
As part of a broader healthcare vision, Rane also announced the expansion of traditional medicine services. Both NGDH and SGDH will host Pancha Karma Ayurvedic centers, offering free treatments to the public.
Looking to the future, the Health Ministry plans to launch mobile clinics throughout Goa by December 2026. These mobile units aim to deliver primary healthcare services directly to residents, especially in remote and underserved areas.