PANAJI
Admitting that the South Goa District Hospital in Margao does not currently have intensive care unit (ICU) facilities, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Monday said there is a staffing problem but it is in the process of being resolved.
“It takes time. There is a need of an interventionist. Some people have got affected because I have been speaking a lot about the ‘Goa Model’ and that the ‘Delhi Model’ is all hype,” Rane said, clearly referring to the issue raised by the AAP Benaulim MLA, Venzy Viegas, of doctors at SGDH referring patients to private hospitals for lack of facilities there.
Rane said, he has moved a file to form a committee which will study best practices and models in other States for attaching a private medical college to the SGDH.
“A medical college attached to the South Goa district hospital is a must. We are looking for best private partner for this,” he said, adding that it is not privatisation but only a private educational institute will be attached to it.
Rane said, it is not possible to replicate Goa Medical College (GMC) in South Goa although people there want it and we as a government should work to provide the facility.
“Therefore a private medical college will be necessary only for the education part. The rest of the hospital will be ours. The superintendent will be our government servant. All staff will be ours and only the college will be of the private player,” Rane said.
