MAPUSA
The Opposition on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the functioning of the Health Department, exposing serious gaps and shortages at the State’s premier Goa Medical College (GMC) as well as the North and South Goa district hospitals.
Raising the issue during Question Hour in the Legislative Assembly, Opposition members said that despite repeated assurances by Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, ground realities in government hospitals remained unchanged.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao led the charge, flagging acute staff shortages and lack of essential facilities at the South Goa District Hospital.
He said the hospital had 193 vacant posts, no specialised doctors, and an acute shortage of medicines. Alemao also pointed out that the promised neurosurgery department was yet to become functional and that the MRI machine had been unavailable for the past four years.
“Why is there step-motherly treatment to the South Goa District Hospital? When will these issues be fixed?” Alemao asked.
Turning to the North Goa District Hospital, Alemao said even basic facilities were missing, including a CT scan machine. He further alleged that due to inadequate infrastructure and manpower in district hospitals, a majority of patients were being referred to GMC, putting enormous pressure on doctors there.
Alemao also highlighted gaps in cancer treatment facilities, claiming that nearly 15 per cent of patients were being referred to private hospitals.
“This is because there is no intensivist at GMC. People are forced to go to private hospitals and pay through their nose,” he said, adding that the casualty department at GMC was overcrowded and doctors were under intense pressure.
Echoing these concerns, Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) MLA Viresh Borkar said the casualty and ICU at GMC were perpetually full. He claimed there were no ventilators available, surgeries were being delayed by up to six months, and patients were often forced to sleep on the floor due to a shortage of beds. Borkar said the poor state of GMC was particularly alarming as it falls within his constituency.
Responding to the barrage of criticism, Health Minister Rane admitted that the system was facing challenges but insisted that the government was making efforts to address the shortcomings.
“Everything is not perfect, but it is not that we have not done anything,” Rane told the House, citing difficulties in hiring doctors due to pay-scale disparities and high demand. He said the government was in discussion with the Chief Minister to address manpower and infrastructure requirements.
Rane informed the House that 150 beds had been added at GMC in the past two months. He also said ICU and NICU capacity was being expanded through the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC).
“Thirty new NICU beds are being commissioned today, and more ICU beds will be added in the coming days,” the minister said.
