MAPUSA
Promising to make “vision for all” programme a success in the 60th year of Goa’s liberation, Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant on Sunday announced setting up of a new ophthalmic centre offering laser surgery in Sankhali within next two months.
“A new ophthalmic centre will be established within next two months in Sankhali. Anyone who has issues with their eyes and needs to carry out laser surgery will now be able to do there,” Sawant said.
So far such facility of laser surgery facility is only available in the Goa Medical College and Hospital in Bambolim.
The chief minister was addressing a gathering at the “Vision for all” free eye checkup and surgery camp organised by the Directorate of Health Service in association with Prasad Netralaya, Udupi and Colorcon Asia Pvt Ltd Goa in Mapusa.
Mapusa MLA Joshua D’Souza, Director of Health Service, Dr Jose D’Sa, Colocorn MD, Dr Rajesh Parab, Health Officer of Mapusa UHC Dr Cheryl D’Souza and other dignitaries were also present.
Continuing, Sawant said through the free eye checkup and surgery camps the government has decided to conduct complicated eye surgeries free of cost in next six months.
“If there is any complication and if the particular treatment cannot be done either in GMC or Asilo then it will be done in Prasad Netralaya in Udipi which is registered under the Goa government’s DSSY scheme,” he said.
He said the government would aim to reach out to each and every Goan through such camps in the next six months.
“We will conduct such screening camps in all cities first. In next six months another 110 to 120 camps will be held at the gram panchayat level. Two or three panchayats will be clubbed together to organise the camp. The aim is to reach out to every Goan,” the Chief Minister said.
Sawant also said the government was committed to give quality spectacles free of cost to maximum people who attend the camp.
“We want to give vision to everyone. We will work to make the vision for all a successful programme in the entire Goa,” he said.
Mapusa MLA, Joshua D’Souza informed that since a lot of people have to travel to far off places to take treatment the government had taken the initiative to organise such camps to help them.
“This is a people’s government. We will ensure that all get the opportunity to avail government schemes,” D’Souza said.
The first of such camps was inaugurated on Saturday (February 6) in Bicholim where around 1,043 people attended the camp.
