GLOOM & DOOM
Health Minister rules out allowing the current canteens at GMC to restart after their current food licences were suspended
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SINGING IN PRAISE
OF AIIMS CANTEEN
* Vishwajit says the GMC canteen should be like that of the All India Institute of Medical Services with regard to hygiene and nutrition to the patient
* The food right from the kitchen to the patient and back needs to be taken care of and that the nutritious diet is monitored, says Health Minister
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PANAJI: Health Minister Vishwajit Rane defended his decision to replace local canteen contractors with agencies who would run ‘professional’ services at the Goa Medical College and Hospital saying that the food being currently offered at the canteens was substandard.
Rane, who stands accused of using the FDA department to find fault and reason to terminate the existing contracts, ruled out allowing the current canteens to restart after their current food licences were suspended.
“Around 200 students had given me a representation that the food being served was substandard. We are spending the same amount on patients' food as private hospitals but there should be a minimum standard. So we have decided to outsource,” Rane said.
He said that the GMC canteen should be like that of the All India Institute of Medical Services with regard to hygiene and nutrition to the patient so that the food right from the kitchen to the patient and back needs to be taken care of and that the nutritious diet is monitored.
“We will not reopen these canteens and have asked that their licences be suspended,” Rane said.
The Goan reported how the FDA raids coincide with the Health Department scheduled to open tenders for the new canteen operators who will replace the existing operators with the new set of operators being selected through a tender process.
