MARGAO
In an interesting development on the private medical college at the South Goa district hospital, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Saturday said he is in favour of a nursing college to be set up at the South Goa district hospital.
He further said a nursing college at the hospital can take shape faster since former Chief Minister late Manohar Parrikar has made provision for a nursing college in the hospital.
Rane, however, hastened to add that he and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant will be on the same page on the issue, saying the party leadership will also be there to guide the government to implement what is in the best interests of the people.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of a mega medical camp organised by Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco at Raia on Saturday, the Health Minister said, “I and the CM will be on the same page. The party leadership will also be there to guide us. We will see what is in the best interests of the people.”
He added: “Whatever it is, nursing college can become faster. Late CM Manohar Parrikar had made provision for a nursing college at the South Goa district hospital. I had said no for the nursing college when we can have a private medical college. But, we have to follow all the codal formalities needed to set up the private college.”
Saying that he and the Chief Minister will sit down and work out a solution, Rane, however, said he is in favour of a nursing college at the South Goa district hospital. “I also want more medical seats for the youth. But, nursing college, I can do it immediately. The file is already there and processed. Let us see what is the best option. I don’t want to take a one sided decision. We will take all the people into confidence before taking a decision,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Health Minister told the media that officials of the Food and Drugs Administration had been conducting raids across the State to protect the lives of the people. “We have sealed pharmacies at Margao and Ponda for selling expired products. In fact, I have issued clear instructions to the officials to suspend licenses of pharmacies selling expired medicines”, he added.
“As per the norms, the pharmacies are mandated to employ qualified pharmacists. We will ensure that this norm is adhered to in the interests of the people,” he added.
