PANJIM: Government is committed to the cause of health in the State, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said in the House on Wednesday.
The Minister said the government is committed to set up four dialysis centres, more emergency ambulances and streamlining all issues of Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC).
Rane said that dialysis units will be set up at Canacona, Margao, Ponda and Mapusa to cater to the increasing number of patients with kidney problems.
He said that ten emergency ambulances will be put in service in September and seven more ambulances will be procured with funds from the Union government.
Rane said that six cardiac ambulances will be launched and strategically placed at various locations. He informed the House that doctors would be made available in the hospital 24×7 while the patient will be taken to nearest primary health centre for immediate aid and later shifted to GMC. “We are increasing the strength of the doctors also in the cardiac unit,” he said.
“Every day we are trying to reduce the response time. Any ambulance found not attending a call we are suspending the staff,” he said stating that the emergency ambulance services would be streamlined. He said that Chief Minister is spending a lot of time to improve health in the State.
Speaking about GMC he said it is not easy to handle such a large hospital. “There are many issues which need to be addressed, we have started to streamline them,” Rane said.
He said the land issue with the super specialty block will be addressed, if it is not solved than another plot will be sought, he added.
Speaking about medicines in GMC, the Minister said there is no shortage of medicines and he asked officials to break the procurement in separate parts. “We are auditing regularly the purchase of drugs. GMC is not facing any shortage of medicines, Dean and Superintendent of GMC is entitled to take decision of purchases and they have powers,” he said.
“Everyday GMC is purchasing medicines. Every patient is assured that medicine is made available in GMC,” he stated.
Rane said there are many issues at GMC and health services including shortage of nurses and doctors. He said the relaxation to doctors who have passed from the college won’t be considered as mentioned by some of the members as Health Department is already facing shortage of doctors.
Speaking further Rane said the government is in the process of outsourcing the laundry at GMC to take care of cleanliness and hygiene.
About non-working mobile clinic vans and mammography van, the Minister said he has asked the Health Secretary to hold an inquiry and submit the report to the government. He mentioned that it is a priority of the government that mobile clinics will reach in villages and hold health camps.
Candolim primary health centre would be upgraded considering the tourist belt, the minister said.
