Team Goemkarponn
Canacona: Health Minister Vishwajeet Rane ordered the immediate allotment of four doctors to the Community Health Centre (CHC), Canacona, while announcing plans to upgrade the facility with comprehensive emergency and trauma care services.
Rane reviewed health infrastructure and staffing shortages during his visit to CHC Canacona, after inaugurating the reconstructed Canacona Municipal Building. He said the objective is to ensure that accident and emergency patients no longer need to be shifted outside Canacona for treatment.
Stating that his mother is a cancer patient, Rane said he understands the importance of timely treatment and patient care. “This hospital will be upgraded so that emergency, trauma and accident cases are treated here itself,” he assured.
The Health Minister informed that Kedar Naik has been appointed as Nodal Officer and will submit a gap analysis report within a month. “After the report, we will try to achieve at least 60 per cent, if not 100 per cent, of what is lacking,” he said.
Highlighting the Centre’s role, Rane said the “double-engine government” is taking the health sector seriously, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi regularly monitors health services. He noted that teams deputed by the PMO are visiting states to assess healthcare delivery, and that the Union Budget has placed special emphasis on setting up emergency centres with additional allocations.
“At present, there is a shortfall of four doctors, so I am posting four doctors immediately to CHC Canacona. There is also a shortage of technicians for ultrasound, X-ray and other services,” Rane said. He stressed that deliveries should be conducted at Canacona itself and that accident cases, including neurological and orthopaedic emergencies, must be handled locally.
Admitting existing shortcomings, Rane said, “I have not come here to hide anything. Some facilities are missing and they need to be fulfilled.”
He added that GMC, South Goa District Hospital, Tuem Hospital, Sanguem, Curchorem and Canacona are all on priority for upgrades.
Responding to concerns over rising kidney ailments in Canacona, Rane said a dialysis unit was started during his tenure and currently 94 patients are undergoing dialysis at the CHC. “I do not have the answers yet for the high incidence of renal failure here. I will write to the Government of India to appoint a team to study why kidney ailments are more prevalent in Canacona and how they can be prevented,” he said.
Rane clarified that stop-gap weekly deputation of doctors is not a solution. “Hospitals need regular medics to function properly,” he said, adding that action will be taken as soon as the gap analysis report is submitted.
Canacona MLA and Minister Ramesh Tawadkar said that Kedar Naik was appointed as nodal officer four months ago following a high-level meeting convened in his former Speaker’s chamber. “I expect staff shortages to be filled within the next two months,” Tawadkar said.
