MAPUSA
Mayem MLA Premendra Shet raised a critical issue in the Goa Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, highlighting the significant challenges faced by patients due to the absence of a liver specialist at the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).
Shet emphasised that this gap in specialist care has led to severe hardships for those suffering from liver diseases. He pointed out that patients referred to GMCH for liver-related illnesses are not receiving adequate treatment.
Instead, they are often directed to seek care at private hospitals, which many cannot afford. This situation is particularly dire for economically disadvantaged patients who struggle to bear the high costs of private medical treatment.
"Poor patients cannot afford to take treatment in private hospitals due to high costs and medication expenses, resulting in patients without treatment losing their lives, which is a grave concern," Shet stated during the Zero Hour session.
The MLA stressed the urgent need for government intervention to address this issue on humanitarian grounds. He called on the authorities to ensure that poor patients do not continue to suffer due to the lack of specialist care at GMCH. Shet urged the government to take immediate and decisive action to rectify this situation, emphasising that the lives of vulnerable patients are at stake.
Shet's appeal comes at a time when the healthcare system in Goa is under scrutiny for its ability to provide comprehensive care to all citizens. The absence of a liver specialist at GMCH has brought to light broader concerns about the accessibility and affordability of healthcare for the state's poorer residents.
In response to Shet’s plea, the government is expected to consider measures to fill the gap in specialist medical services at GMCH.
The issue of inadequate medical facilities and specialist doctors at GMCH is not new. A few days back, the Health Minister had told the House that it was difficult to get doctors in the State and wanted a tweak in the hiring policy so that outstation doctors could be absorbed in GMCH.
The issue highlights the pressing need for reforms in the State’s healthcare system to prevent further loss of lives due to insufficient medical care.
