VALPOI
With demand for poultry chicken rising across Goa, the All Goa Poultry Shopkeepers Association, in association with the Indian Homoeopathic Medical Association (IHMA), has launched a statewide free health screening campaign for poultry shop owners and employees to promote food safety and workplace hygiene.
Speaking at a health camp in Valpoi, Association Chairman Presco Sequeira said the initiative has already covered over 450 employees through eight camps held across the state and will soon be extended to all remaining talukas.
Around 38 poultry shop owners and employees from Valpoi and nearby areas underwent health examinations, including general check-ups, homoeopathic consultations, dental and eye screening, free medicines, and blood, urine and stool tests.
Sequeira said the campaign is the first statewide health initiative in Goa exclusively for poultry retail workers, stressing that employee health is closely linked to public health and food safety.
"Our responsibility extends beyond business. Ensuring that poultry workers remain healthy is essential to delivering safe and hygienic food to consumers," he said.
He added that earlier camps had detected medical conditions among some workers, who were advised to seek treatment, while a few with serious health concerns were temporarily relieved from food-handling duties.
The camp was organised with support from the Valpoi Government Community Health Centre and IHMA doctors, who also educated participants on personal hygiene, regular health check-ups, safe food handling, use of gloves and aprons, clean drinking water, and workplace cleanliness.
Sequeira also highlighted the importance of scientific disposal of poultry waste, warning that improper disposal can lead to foul odour, pollution and the spread of disease. Poultry waste from chicken centres across Goa is transported to a processing facility at Pissurle in Sattari for scientific disposal, while the association continues to monitor compliance.
The association also plans to work with the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), Goa, on statewide inspections of poultry outlets focusing on hygiene, food safety, waste management and storage practices. It also intends to encourage retailers to replace plastic carry bags with eco-friendly paper bags.
Sequeira said the association remains committed to conducting regular health screening programmes to improve employee welfare, environmental responsibility and consumer confidence.
