MARGAO: Yuri Alemao, Leader of Opposition, strongly criticised the recent announcement by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to establish a private medical college at Margao’s Hospicio premises, accusing the BJP Government of favouring crony capitalists over the welfare of Goans.
Alemao expressed scepticism towards the Chief Minister’s proposal to establish a trust to operate a private medical college in South Goa District Hospital, suggesting that influential figures like Adani, Ambani, and GMR could be involved as trustees. He emphasised the need for the government to prioritise essential healthcare infrastructure, such as ICU, CathLab, and NeuroSurgery units, along with providing adequate staffing.
He highlighted the historical significance of the South Goa District Hospital as a visionary project of the Congress Government aimed at providing affordable healthcare to Goans, vowing to resist any attempts to privatise the hospital.
Alemao pointed out the alarming number of vacant positions for doctors. “These vacant posts include one senior paediatrician, two senior surgeons, one senior ENT surgeon, one senior ophthalmic surgeon, one senior psychiatrist, two senior orthopaedic surgeons, two medico legal officers, three junior anaesthetists and three medical officers among others,” said the Cuncolim MLA.
Furthermore, Alemao raised concerns about the hospital’s status as a referral center, with a significant proportion of cases being redirected to GMC or private hospitals, indicating shortcomings in the hospital’s capabilities. “The Government has still not commissioned the much needed Cardiac Cath Lab. The cardiologist from GMC has started cardiology OPD services only once a week at South Fistrict Hospital,” said Alemao.
“No one knows when the Neurosurgery Unit will be set up. This government is just giving assurances year after year. They have money to spend on events but find paucity of funds for health care,” he alleged.
Yuri claimed that he had data which states that out of the 642 sanctioned posts, 494 posts are filled of which 159 are on contract basis and 155 are still vacant.
