MARGAO
There’s good news in store for Goa on the health and medical front, besides start-ups and innovation.
Asserting that Goa can become a start-up and innovation hub, Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Wednesday offered support for setting up a centre of excellence for start-ups in medical electronics and artificial intelligence health care at the South Goa district hospital.
After visiting the South Goa district hospital on Wednesday, the Union Minister said the Centre will take all measures to expand economic opportunities in Goa that will help diversify its economy, and turn it into a start-up and innovation hub, especially in the fields of healthcare, medical electronics and artificial intelligence and also ensure its sustainable development.
He said the Ministries of Electronics and IT, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship along with the Goa government would explore the possibility of setting up a centre of excellence for startups at the District Hospital South Goa.
Earlier in the day, he met Health Minister Vishwajit Rane and had a meeting with IT Minister Rohan Khaunte to discuss the growth of IT opportunities.
He also spoke of expanding skilling opportunities for youngsters through skill hubs and Atal Tinkering labs.
"Diversifying Goa’s economy and maintaining a balance between sustainability and development is an article of faith for the Narendra Modi government," Chandrasekhar told the media.
Even as the Union Minister said the Centre will decide on this count soon, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane was quick to say that the State government is looking up to the Centre to ink a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on artificial intelligence.
Saying that artificial intelligence is the future, Rane stated that it will help in upscaling skills and integrating every primary health centre, community health centre and sub-district hospital for the benefit of the patients.
The Union Minister visited the South Goa district hospital on Wednesday along with Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, Health Director Dr Geeta Kakodkar, party president Sadanand Tanavade, MLA Ulhas Tuenkar and interacted with district hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Deepa Corriea and officials.
He said Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Health Minister and party president Tanavade have requested to set up a healthcare Artificial Intelligence centre of excellence so that Goa becomes part of the global partnership of AI.
“Artificial Intelligence offers many opportunities in health care,” he added.
The Union Minister termed the facilities at the hospital as high quality, saying he has seen a clean hospital for the first time.
“During my 18-month stint as Union Minister, I have visited many hospitals, but this is the first time I am visiting a high-quality and clean hospital. This government-run hospital is much better in quality and standard compared to any other hospital in the private sector,” he said while complimenting the Health Minister and health officials.
'Govt to decide on IIT considering students' requirement, environment'
MARGAO:
Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the government will think a decision on the controversial IIT project by taking into account the requirement of Goa’s student community and the sustainability of the environment.
Commenting on the IIT row to a pointed query from the media, the Union Minister said the government will think about whether to go vertical with the project to overcome the land issues.
“If there is no land for the IIT, and if there are land requirements, the government will take a call on whether to go vertical. One thing is clear, there is a need to set up the IIT in the State to meet the requirements of the students,” he said adding: “The government will take a call on how to address the issue of land availability and at the same time ensure environmental sustainability.”
The Union Minister also underscored the need to strike a balance between development and sustainability. While answering a question on opposition to mobile towers, he reminded: “We are living in a democracy. We are not in China, where the government locks its people. Sustainability is an important issue,” he said.
