Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Apr 6: In a significant move to strengthen healthcare delivery at the foundational level, the Goa government is formulating a comprehensive plan to establish a Primary Health Centre (PHC) in each of the state's 40 Assembly constituencies, announced Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Saturday.
Speaking to the media during a large-scale medical health camp held in Vasco, Rane also underscored the pressing need to augment the state's ambulance services to ensure timely emergency response.
"We have put forward a proposal to add approximately 100 ambulances to our existing fleet, which will include 10 to 12 advanced cardiac ambulances. Furthermore, we are enhancing our coastal emergency response capabilities with upgraded motorcycle ambulances operated by a two-person team to guarantee swifter response times in critical situations," Rane elaborated.
Highlighting the PHC initiative, Rane stated, "Our vision is to ensure that every constituency is equipped with a functional PHC. These facilities may be designed with or without inpatient beds, depending on the specific healthcare needs of the local population. For instance, Vasco will receive a non-bedded PHC to improve accessibility to primary healthcare services."
Rane also revealed ongoing efforts to address the availability of medical professionals across state health centers. He is developing a revised recruitment model for doctors, which is slated for presentation at the upcoming cabinet meeting.
The Health Minister proudly noted that the state's STEMI (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction) programme, focused on providing rapid treatment for heart attacks, has garnered national recognition from Niti Aayog for its effectiveness.
"Our ambulances are now equipped with the necessary tools and technology to stabilise patients while they are being transported. We have also introduced thrombolysis services for stroke patients, and we are consistently prioritizing the expansion of our preventive medicine network across the state," he affirmed.
Explaining the rationale behind the state-wide medical camp initiative, Rane emphasised that these camps primarily focus on preventive healthcare measures and early disease detection.
Rane also highlighted the advancements in medical procedures now being performed at the Goa Medical College (GMC). "Our specialists are now undertaking complex surgical interventions, including skull base surgeries, advanced endoscopy, gastroenterology procedures, colonoscopies, and organ transplants. We have successfully launched kidney transplant services and are actively working towards establishing dialysis units throughout the state," he informed.
The medical camp in Vasco, 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 various health officials, witnessed an impressive turnout of nearly 1,300 patients – the highest attendance recorded for such medical camps in the state to date.
On the same occasion, Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar inaugurated a free ambulance service specifically for the local residents of Vasco.
"These health camps effectively bring specialised medical services directly to the doorsteps of our citizens, thereby reducing the need for them to travel to GMC for routine and preventive care. This is a timely and exceptionally beneficial initiative for our community," remarked Salkar.
The MLA further stated that specialists from 13 diverse medical disciplines, including dentistry, gynaecology, orthopaedics, ophthalmology, paediatrics, and surgery, provided consultations and care at the medical camp in Vasco. "We are also prioritising cancer screenings, particularly for women, which is a critical aspect of proactive healthcare," he added.