Team Herald
PORVORIM: Batting for private public partnership (PPP) model of operations in the health sector in the State, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane reiterated that there is a need for a new model run the government hospitals in Goa.
Speaking in the Goa Legislative Assembly, Rane said the government cannot run everything on its own. “There is a need to outsource. Private public partnership model is need of an hour in health sector and shall go forward as per guidelines of NITI Ayog”, he added.
He said, “Even the super speciality hospital is to be constructed in Goa Medical College complex by spending Rs 350 – 400 crore and will require unique model to run it.”
Stating that cancer cases have not increased due to formalin, Rane said, “We would be spreading panic by stating in the Goa Legislative Assembly that formalin is the reason for rise in cancer cases. There is a need for an awareness campaign against cancer. We have been taking all precautions to maintain food safety.”
Responding to the issue of mental health raised by Panjim MLA Babush Monserrate, he said, “We have clinical psychologists at the IPHB. Mental health is no more a bad word and the department will tie up with SANGATH which is working in this field.”
The Health Minister said the health department would tie up with the University of Miami, which has done a lot of research in stroke management.
The Health Minister informed the House that getting doctors is the most difficult job.
“Nobody should pressurise me on the bond issue. None of those after getting qualified want to go to the rural areas to provide services. Goa has demanded only Rs 10 lakh bank guarantee whereas other States have Rs 20 lakh as bank guarantee or have to fulfill the bond”, the Health Minister added.
