MAPUSA
Goa plans to overhaul its veterinary healthcare network, with Veterinary Hospital Mapusa designated as North Goa’s district-level hub and Veterinary Hospital Tonca earmarked for super-speciality treatment.
The State government has notified new minimum standards for veterinary institutions, proposing upgrades to hospitals and dispensaries, specialised doctors, diagnostic facilities and round-the-clock emergency services.
Under the plan, Veterinary Hospital Sonsodo-Margao will serve as the South Goa hub, while Veterinary Dispensary Sanguem will be upgraded to a district hospital for Kushavati.
The four-tier network will comprise a state-level super-speciality hospital at Tonca, three district hospitals, 12 designated taluka-level hospitals and primary veterinary care centres serving villages.
The 12 taluka hospitals are proposed to have two veterinary doctors each, along with diagnostic and surgical facilities, inpatient care and post-mortem services. Each will also have at least one fully equipped animal ambulance for emergency transport and rescue.
At the village level, the plan calls for at least one dedicated para-vet in every gram panchayat, backed by veterinary doctors and field staff. Staffing in hilly and forest areas will be higher in proportion to livestock numbers.
The upgrades are planned in three phases over 24 months. The first six months will focus on basic infrastructure, diagnostic equipment, sanitation and mobile veterinary units linked to a 24-hour toll-free helpline.
The second phase will strengthen taluka hospitals with X-ray and ultrasound equipment, surgical facilities and inpatient wards. The final phase envisages advanced treatment at Tonca, including CT scanning, blood transfusion facilities and specialised surgery.
Diagnostic laboratories are also proposed at Tonca, Mapusa, Sonsodo-Margao and Sanguem to support disease testing and livestock health services.
The government said implementation would be monitored by a dedicated committee. The notification, however, does not specify the budget for the proposed upgrades or deadlines for recruiting the required staff.
The move follows the Centre’s minimum-standards framework for veterinary institutions.
Adoption of the guidelines is also among the qualifying criteria for States seeking incentives under the livestock sector reforms component of the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment scheme for 2026-27.
