The Goa government faced the heat from opposition members over utilizing part of South Goa District Hospital (SGDH) for a private medical college. It is learnt that a year ago Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had reportedly announced plans for a private medical college in South Goa with reserved seats for Goan students. However it is now said by the government that the plans are still in the discussion stage. The opposition demanded a clear answer on the issues and declared that at no cost a private medical college would be permitted in the district hospital.
Studying in a private medical college can be quite expensive, and not everyone can afford it. Many students may opt for government medical colleges due to their lower tuition fees and greater accessibility. It is pertinent to note that MBBS direct admission in Bangalore private colleges is based on NEET scores. The fee structure ranges from Rs. 4 lakhs to Rs. 75 lakhs per year in top colleges. The question that arises is how many Goans will be able to afford to educate their wards in private medical colleges. After prime land is being sold to the rich people from Delhi who make Goa their second home, it seems that now a private medical college is being set up in the State to cater to the needs of these Delhiites and rich people from other states.
What is even more shocking is that a part of the South Goa District Hospital is proposed to be utilized for setting up the private medical college. It is pertinent to note that SGDH was set up to cater to the mdical needs of the people of Goa and in particular people of South Goa. It does not seem proper to utilize a part of the hospital to set up a private medical hospital. Private players who want to set up the college can always buy government land at the existing rate and set up the infrastructure for the medical college at their own cost. The government need not give the infrastructure to the private players on a platter. The unutilized part of the SGDH should be reserved for further expansion of the hospital in order to provide advanced medical facilities to the general public.
