MARGAO
When Health Minister Vishwajit Rane had walked into the South Goa district hospital building on Dussehra day on 15 October 2021 to review the arrangements in place for the shifting of the Hospicio hospital, he was categorical in saying no private medical college will come up at the district hospital and the building will play host to a nursing college.
When the media had then asked him whether the government has taken the final decision in this respect, Rane had shot back “this is my decision being the Health Minister. As per rules of business, this is the final decision to start a nursing college in the district hospital.”
Elaborating further, Rane had admitted that there was a proposal for a nursing college as well as a private medical college to be set up at the district hospital. “After consultations with the people, we have taken a decision that since the original proposal was approved for a nursing college, the proposal has been accepted by the government. In the nursing college at the district hospital, nurses can get hands on experience. I am not interested in buying controversies for free. Let us put a nursing college at the South district hospital,” Rane had then told the media.
When the media had sought to confirm from Rane whether the decision in favour of a nursing college is final, Rane had shot back “I cannot hold onto a thing just because I want to hold something. Sometimes we have to let go in the interest of the hospital.”
LoP: Cong will favour only govt-run medical college
MARGAO: Leader of Opposition, Yuri Alemao on Sunday said he and his party will only welcome a government-run medical college at the South Goa district hospital, saying that a private medical college should have no place at the hospital.
Yuri was seen welcoming the Chief Minister’s announcement of a medical college at the South Goa district hospital in the just concluded Assembly session. The Opposition leader, however, asserted that the Chief Minister had made no mention that the proposed medical college at the South Goa district hospital will be set up by private parties. “Let me make it clear that I am not in favour of any private medical college at the district hospital. Only a government-run medical college should come up at the district hospital,” Yuri asserted on Sunday. The Congress party had in the recent past opposed any plans to set up a private medical college at the South Goa district hospital, saying the entire hospital project has been designed and conceived taking into account the health and medical needs.
Vijai again red-flags plans,vows to oppose move
MARGAO: Goa Forward chief, MLA Vijai Sardesai has again red-flagged the private medical college proposed at the South Goa district hospital, saying he will oppose the project inside the Legislative Assembly and outside in the interest of the common man.
Located in Sardesai’s constituency, just a stone’s throw from his residence, the three-time Fatorda MLA has been consistent in opposing the private medical college in his backyard. “For whom is the government planning to hand over the prime district hospital space to set up the private medical college. Will the Chief Minister and the Health Minister explain to the people how much capitation fees will be charged by the private medical college management from the students? What benefits will accrue to Goan students pursuing medicine when the private college will accept admissions from students across the country,” Sardesai questioned.
Reminding the farmers of Fatorda had sacrificed their land to pave way for the South Goa district hospital, Sardesai said, “Instead of talking about compensating the land losers or how to tone up the infrastructure at the hospital and stop the referrals to the Goa Medical College, the CM and the Health Minister are planning to hand over the prime hospital space to the private players.”
