Team Goemkarponn
VASCO: Goa Health Minister Vishwajeet Rane announced that the State Government is working on a plan to establish a Primary Health Centre (PHC) in each of the 40 Assembly constituencies, aiming to strengthen healthcare delivery at the grassroots level.
Addressing the media at a mega medical health camp held in Vasco, Rane said, “We are moving towards ensuring that every constituency is equipped with a Primary Health Centre. These may be bedded or non-bedded based on local requirements. For instance, Vasco will be provided with a. non-bedded PHC to enhance accessibility.”
The camp, organised in the presence of Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar, Mormugao Municipal Council Chairperson Girish Borker, Goa Medical College (GMC) Dean Dr. Shivanand Bamdekar, municipal councillors, and other health officials, saw a turnout of nearly 1300 patients — the highest recorded so far for such camps in the State.
On the occasion, Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar also launched a free ambulance service for the local population.
“These health camps bring specialised medical services to the doorsteps of citizens, reducing the need to travel to GMC for basic and preventive care. This initiative is timely and immensely beneficial for the community,” said Salkar.
Explaining the inspiration behind the medical camp initiative, Rane said, “These camps are modeled on the outreach philosophy of the Prime Minister’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’, with the focus being on preventive healthcare and early diagnosis. We want to reach every citizen directly.”
He also highlighted the urgent need to expand the State’s ambulance services.
“We’ve proposed adding around 100 ambulances to our fleet, including 10 to 12 cardiac units. In addition, we are enhancing coastal emergency response with upgraded motorcycle ambulances manned by two personnel to ensure faster response times,” he said.
The Minister noted that the STEMI (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction) program, aimed at treating heart attacks quickly, has received national recognition from Niti Ayog.
“Our ambulances are now equipped to stabilise patients during transit. We’ve also introduced thrombolysis services for stroke patients, and are consistently focusing on expanding our preventive medicine network,” he stated.
Rane further spoke about the advanced medical procedures now available at Goa Medical College.
“We have specialists performing complex surgeries including skull base procedures, endoscopy, gastroenterology, colonoscopy, and organ transplants. We’ve initiated kidney transplant services and are working towards setting up dialysis units across the State,” he informed.
He added that the new cancer hospital under construction in Goa, sanctioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, would be among the best in India.
“We’re also working on increasing the availability of doctors across the health centres through a new recruitment model, which will be tabled in the upcoming Cabinet meeting,” Rane said.
The Minister stressed the need to upgrade South Goa District Hospital.
“It should be recognised as a tertiary care facility. This will help retain patients in South Goa and reduce the burden on GMC,” he added.
MLA Salkar, highlighting the scope of the Vasco camp, said, “We have experts from 13 medical disciplines including dentistry, gynaecology, orthopaedics, ophthalmology, paediatrics, and surgery. We’re also conducting cancer screenings, particularly for women, which is crucial.”
He further added, “A pioneering fertility care initiative is being introduced at GMC, which will provide services free of cost to couples — a first in the country. We are also planning to implement proton therapy for cancer treatment at GMC, putting Goa at the forefront of cutting-edge medical care.”
Rane concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to inclusive development.
“The BJP government is dedicated to fulfilling its promises and ensuring healthcare reaches every citizen, especially the most underserved. That’s the core of our mission,” he said.
