HEALTH MINISTER'S DOSE >>
CASE EXAMINATION
If the file of the patient comes to me, then we can examine the case and see what clearances and relaxations can be made
GOVT INTERVENTION
May vary from case to case depending on what the diagnosis is and the cost of the prescribed treatment.
ON HEALTHCARE
The government is open to helping people with rare illnesses, as is the Chief Minister, who has
become even more sensitive to healthcare after he himself took ill
TREATING SCLEROSIS
Government is doing everything in its power to help children with multiple sclerosis, a disease in which the nerves in the brain and spinal cord get damaged
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ON SANKRUTHI CASE
* I know about Sanskruthi through what has been reported in the papers. No one approached me for help with regard to her case
* In cases of rare illnesses, patients should approach us as they are not covered by the government insurance scheme
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PANAJI: The Goa government has no systemic scheme or avenue to aid patients suffering from rare diseases which cannot be treated at GMC as in the case of Goodpasture Syndrome inflicted Sanskruti Kamble, which recently made news.
But according to Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, if the government is approached by families of patients, financial support can be considered on a case to case basis. Nine-year-old Sanskruti's case was the first time the disease was reported in Goa ever, and the country's 25th. With no treatment regime available at GMC, she was treated at the Healthway Hospital in Old Goa and got stranded there because her family couldn't afford to pay the bill.
They were bailed out only because her's and her family's predicament got reported in the media and went viral on social media when aid started pouring in from across the State. The NGO Childline which was assisting the family throughout the saga, also helped in fund raising.
The universal health insurance scheme, DDSSY, also did not cover the treatment for the rare disease.
Rane said, he is willing to examine such cases where patients are diagnosed with rare diseases, if brought to the government's notice.
"If the file of the patient comes to me, then we can examine the case and see what clearances and relaxations can be made," said Rane, adding that government intervention would vary from case to case depending on what the diagnosis is and the cost of the prescribed treatment.
When explained the case of Sanskruthi, who had to undergo plasmapheresis at the Healthway hospital due to unavailability of treatment at GMC, Rane said he was open to helping her, but that as no one had sought help from the government, he was unable to intervene.
"I know about Sanskruthi through what has been reported in the papers. No one approached me for help with regard to her case. In cases of rare illnesses, patients should approach us as they are not covered by the government insurance scheme," Rane said.
"The government is open to helping people with rare illnesses, as is the Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who has become even more sensitive to healthcare after he himself took ill," Rane said.
Rane also mentioned that the government was doing everything in its power to help children with multiple sclerosis, a disease in which the nerves in the brain and spinal cord get damaged, as well as children with birth defects who are offered help up to eight years of age.
