Several legis lators raised concerns over staff shortages, inadequate infrastructure, and the need for improved medical facilities across Goa while speaking on health-related demands in the Assembly. Aldona MLA Carlos Al vares Ferreira highlighted staff shortages at Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in his constituency and re quested a dialysis unit, an ambulance and building repairs. Presenting detailed data on vacancies in the Directorate of Health Ser vices, Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai said 1,281 of the 4,489 sanctioned posts are vacant, leaving nearly 29 percent of the workforce unfilled.
According to him, critical vacancies include 10 out of 12 senior sur geons, 7 out of 8 senior physicians, 5 out of 7 or thopaedic surgeons, 6 out of 7 junior surgeons, 11 out of 17 anaesthetists, and 6 out of 9 radiologists. He also pointed to shortages of nurses, pharmacists, MPH Ws, and 434 multi-tasking staff, along with vacancies among X-ray and laborato ry technicians, which affect diagnostic services. He said 11,738 patients were referred to GMC in 2025, including 4,656 from South Goa District Hospi tal, 4,124 from North Goa District Hospital, and 2,958 from the Sub-District Hos pital in Ponda.
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He pointed out that 133 of the 529 sanctioned posts at North Goa District Hospi tal are vacant, including the absence of a Senior Phy sician and Medico-Legal Officer, along with short ages of technicians, nurses, and support staff. At Tuem Hospital, Sardesai said 57 of 151 sanctioned posts re main vacant, including spe cialists such as surgeons, anaesthetists, physicians, paediatricians, and gynae cologists. He added that the hospital still depends on specialists deputed from GMC and the DHS on spe cific days. Velim MLA Cruz Silva re quested the introduction of special emergency care fa cilities and a dedicated am bulance to improve health care services for locals. He called for improvements at GMC, particularly in wards, casualty services, and OPD facilities. Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas demanded the ur gent completion and full upgrade of the South Goa District Hospital.
He urged the government to upgrade sub-health centres in coast al areas and convert them into smart health centres, ensuring that doctors reg ularly visit these facilities and that annual health check-ups are mandatory. Bicholim MLA Chan drakant Shetye stressed that linking hospitals to GMC alone would not solve problems unless adequate staff are appointed to oper ate them effectively. Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa highlighted issues faced by health centres in Pissornem and Barcem, re questing the establishment of a dialysis unit at the PHC and a cardiac ambulance for the region. He also de manded an ambulance and a hearse van for the constit uency.
