TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Health Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Friday announced that he would propose a full fledged college for paramedical education in Goa in the next two to three years, while the paramedical courses linked to Goa Medical College would commence from September 2, this year onwards.
The courses would include Bachelor of Optometry (three years), Bachelor of physiotherapy (four years), Bachelor of occupational physiotherapy (four years), BSc in medical imaging technology (three years) and BSc in anesthetic technology (three years).
Bachelor of physiotherapy and Bachelor of occupational physiotherapy would be followed by six month internship programme while in case of other programmes the internship would be for one year.
Parsekar said that considering the fact that students go outside Goa for the paramedical courses, which are in demand, the government decided to introduce these course at GMC.
“A full fledge college on the lines of the Dental college would be built within the next two to three years,” he said.
A total of 10 students would be accommodated in the first four courses ~ optometry, physiotherapy, occupational physiotherapy and medical imaging technology while for anesthetic technology, 20 students would be admitted.
Parsekar said that the prospectus was already made available at GMC and the last date for submission of application is August 23. The merit list would be finalized on August 26, and counseling of students would be done on August 30.
When asked about NEET, the minister said that the government would ensure that students do not suffer.
“The matter is before the Supreme Court. It looks like that the apex court is trying to accommodate both the parties ~ government and students. He said that if the SC verdict on quashing NEET had come in advance before the admission of post graduate students then the situation would not have been what is now.
Parsekar also announced to launch the ‘Deendayal Upadhyay Swasthya Seva Yojana, a new general insurance scheme that will cover entire Goan population, in the next two months. He said that the tender for the same would be floated by Monday or Tuesday.
Responding to a question, the minister said that the government was making all efforts to reduce the shortage of doctors in public and community health centers by appointing post graduate and MBBS passed students on one year contract basis.
On slashing rates for kidney dialysis rates under mediclaim scheme, he said that several new hospitals provide quality service for Rs 1,300 per dialysis. So rates were revised.
