Team Herald
PANJIM: The State government appears to be contemplating on introducing privatisation mode in health sector especially the South Goa District Hospital, the Super Speciality Hospital and the Chicalim Cottage hospital.
Addressing a press conference in Panjim, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said the government is keen on starting a medical college at South Goa District Hospital.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said there was a need for more doctors in India. For this, the Centre will start 75 new medical colleges in the country and I do not want to miss out on this and hence, I am leaving for Delhi to take up Goa’s case there,” he said.
He said a new medical college will help Goa and South Goa in particular as all the required treatment would be available there.
“There is another 10 acres of land just next to new hospital which will be taken over and that should suffice our requirement for a new hospital,” he said adding “We are also looking to private players involvement in some key departments in this hospital”.
Further, he said, the new super specialty hospital, coming up at Bambolim, will also have participation of private players.
“We will have our own doctors, medical superintendent but only some key departments such as neurology etc. will be taken care of by private companies,” he said.
Rane said that a consortium of Goan doctors have approached the government for commencing operations at the Chicalim Cottage Hospital.
“They have come forward. I will speak to the Chief Minister and decide on the matter,” he said.
When pointed out that the former CM late Manohar Parrikar was against the PPP mode, the health minister said, “That was a different time, now the Prime Minister and the Niti Ayog also believe that all facilities cannot be provided by the government and private participation is required.”
Rane informed that his government was in the process of bringing All India Institute of Medical Studies to Goa.
“We have not decided the place but once we get a principle approval we will give them land,” he said.
