PANAJI
A tertiary cancer care centre at the Goa Medical College and Hospital in Bambolim at a total cost of Rs 247 crore is a major new proposal projected in the State budget presented by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant who has increased allocation to the health sector by a significant 12 per cent.
At a total outlay of Rs 1,970.20 crores for public health, Sawant has proposed several measures including setting up of two 50-bedded critical care hospitals, one for each district.
The 50-bedded Critical Care Hospitals will be set up at the GMCH at Bambolim and the South Goa District Hospital at Margao and Rs 23 crores has been allocated for each of these hospitals, Sawant said.
The Cancer centre at the GMC will be equipped to offer advanced surgical and medical oncology treatment for all types of cancers, Sawant said.
The Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB) will also be expanded and get 100 new beds while expansion of the Goa Dental College is also on the cards.
More proposals of note in the health sector this year include commissioning of the cardiac cath-lab and neurosurgery unit at the South Goa District Hospital in Margao and two integrated public health labs, one in each district.
Sawant said, the government also proposes to continue the 'Vision for All' programme begun in 2020 which provides high-end eye care screening as well as providing spectacles.
The chief minister also said that under the Directorate of Health Services, it is proposed to set up 141 health and wellness centres focused on reproductive and child health, communicative and non-communicative diseases, palliative care and AYUSH services.
