Staff Reporter
Curchorem
Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Sunday said that the Curchorem Health Centre will be upgraded into a full-fledged sub-district hospital with all necessary facilities before the next assembly elections.
He was speaking at a mega medical camp held at the health centre, where over 500 people availed of free medical services.
Rane said the government is committed to delivering healthcare services at the doorstep, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision. “Goa is the only state where free diabetes treatment is provided, and free medicines worth Rs 200 crore are distributed to patients every year. Efforts are also being made for the early detection of cancer to protect people from this deadly disease,” he said.
He further stated that the state government is working to enhance ambulance services to reduce emergency response time. “A proposal has been submitted to sanction 75 more ambulances,” he said.
Rane reiterated the government’s commitment to taking strict action against the alleged ‘hearse van mafia’ at Goa Medical College (GMC), who reportedly charge exorbitant fees for transporting bodies. He announced that the government would introduce free hearse van services soon.
“Bereaved families are being charged Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000, which is inhuman. I will not tolerate such acts,” he said.
Responding to the demand made by Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral, Rane assured that a CT scan facility would be provided at the health centre soon.
MLA Cabral expressed satisfaction over the minister’s assurance, stating that it is the collective demand of the people to upgrade the Community Health Centre (CHC) into a full-fledged hospital at the earliest. “Specialist doctors in surgery, gynaecology, orthopaedics, paediatrics, and anaesthesia should be provided with the necessary facilities to achieve this,” he said. The camp, organised by Goa Health Services, was inaugurated by Rane in the presence of Cabral, GMC Dean Shivanand Bandekar, health officer Megha Kudchadkar, GMC doctors, Dr Jagdish Kakodkar, and others.
