the goan I network
PANAJI
Health Minister Vishwajit Rane has disclosed that he will be meeting Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadanavis on Wednesday in order to resolve the issue brewing over the charging of fees for non-Goan patients at Goa Medical College and Hospital under the Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana.
Labelling the protests at Dodamarg as ‘politically motivated’, Rane stated, “There is no question of going back on my decision at all. I have asked for an appointment with CM Devendra Fadnavis tomorrow. I will give one or two suggestions and solutions by way of which Asilo and GMC can get empanelled by the Maharashtra government. We can also work out other modalities.”
Rane said that he hopes to find a permanent solution to the matter by Wednesday evening. “We will be open to signing an MoU with Maharashtra so that the interests of our hospitals and people are protected. There is no question of not charging patients from outside Goa. That decision is firm. How to move forward will be decided with the Maharashtra CM. Both are BJP governments,” he said.
Rane lamented that most people have not understood the dynamics of how GMC functions. He also sought to clarify that GMC will not deny treatment to poor people at any point while pointing out that every head of department at GMC and the Medical Superintendent have the power to exempt poor people from other states from charges if they don’t have the money.
Prior to his meeting with the Maharashtra CM, Rane will meet the officers, who handle public health-related issues, so as to arrive at a conclusion based on statistical data of DDSSY functioning in Goa.
However, Rane warned that he will “not compromise on this even with a BJP state”.
It was disclosed that at present, 30 to 35 per cent of GMC patients are from Bihar, Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Meanwhile, the Health Minister also voiced his plan to increase the charges levied on foreigners availing healthcare in Goa.
“Foreigners will be charged higher than 20 per cent of C grade hospitals. I want to make it 50 per cent of A grade hospitals,” he said.
Rane spoke about the need to upgrade the technical know-how of senior doctors at GMC.
He stated, “I will send them abroad for advanced training on a regular basis. We will start with Dr Teresa of Neurology and send her to University of Miami. I am ready to spend Rs 2-3 crores on this programme.”
