Cancer Hospital to be ready in next two years, says Vishwajit Rane

During a discussion on the demands for the Directorate of Public Health and Goa Medical College and Hospital, Rane explained that the project had faced delays due to some pending permissions. He mentioned that there were unresolved issues with Tata Memorial Hospital, which prefers an autonomous structure to manage the new facility, reports The Navhind Times.

However, Rane emphasized that the government remains committed to providing high-quality healthcare services without engaging in political manoeuvring. “Due to the intervention of the Prime Minister’s Office, we can take Tata Memorial Hospital on board to run the cancer hospital in Goa,” he said. According to the Daily, to expedite the hospital's commissioning, the state government will acquire the necessary equipment and ensure that doctors from Tata Memorial Hospital visit frequently once the outpatient departments become operational.

Rane also highlighted the need for a different operational model for South Goa District Hospital and proposed renaming the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB) to the Institute of Neurosciences, following preliminary discussions, reports the Daily. “Though we are planning to run the South Goa District Hospital on an innovative model, the hospital will be run by the government; we will not give it to any private player,” he clarified.

The Health Minister reiterated the government's commitment to extending healthcare services to every part of the state, including providing the best facilities for South Goa residents. He stressed the importance of establishing minor operation theatres in rural hospitals and increasing the number of 108 ambulances across the state.

Rane noted that Goa is the only state that provides free insulin and injections worth lakhs of rupees to patients. He mentioned ongoing discussions with the Chief Minister to develop a comprehensive health sector plan, focusing on areas requiring priority investment to improve medical services.

While procuring medical equipment is essential, Rane emphasized the need for skilled technical personnel to operate them effectively, ensuring that the state's healthcare system is fully equipped to meet its residents' needs. “In the next two years, we need to put many things in place as far as the health sector is concerned. We need to have a centre of excellence at GMC, palliative care is needed and early detection centre needs to be further upgraded,” he said.