Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: Goa’s healthcare system has seen a transformative shift under the leadership of Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, who on Thursday outlined a series of significant milestones and initiatives that have positioned the state as a pioneer in digital, preventive, and inclusive healthcare delivery.
The Minister proudly declared Corlim PHC as India’s first fully digitised Primary Health Centre, setting a national precedent for electronic medical records, teleconsultation, and streamlined services at the grassroots. “This is a milestone for primary care in the country,” he said.
In emergency healthcare, Goa has saved over 1.38 lakh lives with its enhanced ambulance fleet and quick response system. From just 32 ambulances, the state now operates 103, achieving an average response time of 12 minutes. Over 5,000 emergency deliveries have been carried out in-transit, reaffirming the state’s commitment to life-saving care.
Rane highlighted Goa’s achievement as the first state to offer free IVF services in a government hospital, reporting 73 IVF cycles, 176 IUIs, and the birth of nine healthy babies, including twins and triplets. Additionally, over 1.5 lakh women have been screened for breast cancer under the Swasth Mahila Swasth Goa campaign, many using iBreast technology. The state has held 18 cancer screening camps so far, with the next Tata OPD scheduled at GMC on August 8, 2025.
Goa also leads in AI-based diagnostics with the introduction of an artificial intelligence-powered lung cancer screening programme in collaboration with Qure.ai and AstraZeneca. Over 68,000 scans have already been performed. The upcoming Project RakSA aims to implement preventive oncology drives at every PHC in Goa, focusing on breast, cervical, and oral cancers.
Rane further said that Goa’s newborn screening programme has reached over 1.18 lakh babies since 2008, while more than 1,150 people have benefited from genetic counselling services at GMC. The state boasts a 90% full immunization rate, early introduction of vaccines such as Rotavirus and PCV, and robust digital tracking systems like U-WIN and eVIN cold chain facilities at 42 points.
Cardiac care has been strengthened through the STEMI Goa Project, with a hub-and-spoke model of 4 hubs and 20 spokes. The project has completed over 21,000 ECGs and thrombolyzed 4,500 heart attack patients.
On organ donation, the minister shared that nine successful transplants have been conducted under SOTTO, while government insurance schemes like DDSSY and Mediclaim have benefited over 22,900 citizens.
The Paediatric and Neuro Rehabilitation Centre (PNRC) has also shown exceptional results, with over 11,000 registered children and more than 22,000 therapy sessions held in 2024. Already in 2025, over 14,000 sessions have been conducted, and 858 new patients enrolled. Thirty-six children have received orthotic devices and splints.
Looking ahead, Goa is developing Centres of Excellence in Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery and Gastroenterology at GMC under the leadership of top experts like Dr. Nishit Shah and Dr. Amit Maydeo. The construction of a 120-bed State Cancer Institute and new specialty blocks for Critical Care, Respiratory Care, and Blood Bank are also underway at GMC.
On accreditation, Rane said the District and Sub-District Hospitals have achieved NQAS certification, while GMC is on track to obtain NABH accreditation, ensuring high standards of patient-centric care. Additionally, under the Directorate of Health Services, Goa is upgrading PHCs in Sanguem, Curtorim, Candolim, Mormugao, Cuncolim, Betki, Rivona, Madkaim, and Porvorim to ensure equitable access to health facilities.
Minister Rane concluded by reaffirming Goa’s vision of a health system that is digitally enabled, socially inclusive, and clinically responsive—creating a replicable model for the rest of India.
