PORVORIM: Health Minister Francis D’Souza told State Legislative Assembly on Friday that private hospitals are the only option to reduce the waiting list of the Goa Medical College and Hospital.
He said that the government is trying to achieve the target by empanelling the private hospitals to serve for the people through Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana (DDSSY), a premier scheme, which was launched by the Bhartiya Janata Party government two months back.
D’Souza informed that the scheme will be implemented in the state from August 15 this year.
The minister was replying to the question raised by Independent MLA Naresh Sawal that there are no substitute doctors than the specialists who in cardio and diabetic. Sawal has raised apprehension that if the particular doctor is not available for one day or in case of leaving the job what would be the fate of the patients who are visiting GMCH for treatment.
Sawal has also asked to make some parallel arrangement of doctors to treat the patients.
Minister D’Souza said that getting good doctors, nurses are slightly difficult because of the pay packages which government offers. He said that last year out of 3000 cardiac patients only 300 have been sent outside the GMC.
While intervening Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said that in cardiology and cardio surgery block the government has brought good doctors giving better pay packages.
“This government is very serious about the health issues and we are also coming out with 450 bedded super specialty block at GMC,” Parsekar said.
The Health Minister said that the private hospitals which are closed should be restarted to take the load of the GMC.
