Health Minister Vishwajit Rane unveiling the plaque for the foundation stone of the new Porvorim Primary Health Centre. Photo by Anil Shankhwalker
Health Minister Vishwajit Rane has said the State government has spent over Rs 450 crore on free medicines, as part of the State government commitment to provide good healthcare to people in Goa.
He also stated that Primary Health Centres (PHCs) should be equipped with all necessary facilities so that patients are not forced to visit Goa Medical College hospital for treatment.
He was speaking after laying the foundation stone for the new Porvorim PHC in the presence of Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte, Chairman of Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation Michael Lobo, Director of Health services Dr Roopa Naik, Medical officer of Porvorim PHC Dr Shikandar Talwar and panch members of Penha de Franca, Socorro and Salvador do Mundo.
The new four-storey Porvorim PHC building will have a casualty, X-ray facilities, 2 pharmacies, OPDs, 3 Dental OPDs, laboratory, dialysis ward, administrative block, delivery suite, physiotherapy hall, etc.
“This health centre will be one of the best state-of-art primary health centres in the State and will be named as ‘Health Care Excellence’ and not a PHC. Services of specialised doctors at the GMC hospital will be made available in this Health Care Excellence,” said Rane.
“The full-fledged cancer hospital will be ready soon and patients will not be required to go to Mumbai or elsewhere for treatment.”
Stating that women are the backbone of their families, Rane said the directorate of health services has screened around 2 lakh women in the State.
Khaunte mentioned that residents of Porvorim were earlier forced to go to the Aldona PHC to avail of health facilities.
“The PHC at Porvorim has fulfilled the needs of people and now, it needs expansion. This state-of-art health centre will raise the bar of the health centres in the State as it will have all required facilities and equipment,” said Khaunte.
Lobo mentioned that the new health at Porvorim will cost about Rs 19.48 crore, and will be completed before the assembly election.
Porvorim PHC Health Officer Dr Shikandar Talwar welcomed the gathering and Dr Marina later proposed the vote of thanks.
