Earlier this week, the Goa government undertook a massive publicity campaign, apparently spending a considerable amount of taxpayers’ money to promote the Goa Medical College (GMC) hospital complex and urge Goans to have full confidence in its healthcare facilities.
I agree that GMC doctors and nurses have a fairly good reputation in Goa. However, in my view, the most effective way to promote public confidence in GMC would be for the government to encourage ministers, top bureaucrats and senior police officials to make GMC their first choice for medical treatment.
A few months ago, some ministers reportedly underwent treatment at private hospitals outside the state. More recently, a senior Goa police officer was admitted to a prominent private hospital in Goa instead of GMC. Why?
If those entrusted with running the State have confidence in GMC, it would send a much stronger message to the public than any publicity campaign.
ARWIN MESQUITA, Colva
