from Special Correspondent Ares
for Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji (GA)

Panaji, Feb 7: The state government has declared mandatory screening of newborn babies born in government hospitals from March 1 onwards.

"To begin with, we are making screening mandatory for the babies delivered in government hospitals," Goa chief minister Digamber Kamat told reporters after a cabinet meeting held this evening. 

Talking to reporters in presence of health minister Vishwajeet Rane, the chief minister said that the decision to make screening mandatory was taken in the state cabinet on Thursday February 7 adhering to the recommendation of the health advisory council.

The health minister said that the main motto behind screening the newborns for a spectrum of well characterized and treatable disorders so that many affected babies can lead normal healthy lives by identifying and treating disorders before symptoms appear.

"If not treated on time, several consequences may occur resulting in physically handicapped, mental retardation and other ailments," Rane said.

He said that such a screening is mandatory in the countries like Singapore, Dubai, Phillipines.

"After implementing the scheme in government hospitals, subsequently, we will implement it in the private hospitals," Rane said.