PANJIM, MARCH 1 ? Public healthcare seems poised for a major transformation in the State as the government has decided to screen and treat cerebral palsy and birth defect among children, start a urology department at GMC, adopt prevention measures for cervical and breast cancer, procure 7 state-of-the-art ambulances to take care of road accident victims, increase in MBBS seats and upgrade health infrastructure.
Announcing the slew of measures, Health Minister Vishwajeet Rane said that the government has taken the decisions as per recommendations of Advisory Council on Health which consists of experts in the field.
?Dr Ashok Johari, a renowned paediatric surgeon and a member of the Academic Council will conduct screening and operative sessions for children at GMC along with a team of doctors, April end or May this year,? Rane said, addressing a press conference after chairing a meeting of the Council.
Paediatricians at government hospitals will be given training in detection of birth anomalies and cerebral palsy so that corrective measures are adopted soon. A batch of nurses working in GMC?s Neonatal ICUs and Directorate of Health will also be given training, he stated, adding that even anganwadi teachers will be imparted basic training so that children are detected of visible birth disorders.
Rane also said that the government would have a tie-up with hospitals like
State government promises ?the moon? on healthcare!
Wockardt for paediatric surgeries. Later, the government plans to hold screening of newly born babies at all government hospitals. Blood smear will be taken and sent to sophisticated labs. Tenders for this will be opened on March 18, he stated.
Rane announced that in addition to the diseases covered, immunisation of newly born children will now cover haemophilic influenza Type B and Rubella.
UROLOGY: Rane said that at the moment top priority is also being given for opening a urology department at GMC so that patients could avail of the services at the hospital itself. Dr Madhu Prabhudesai and Dr Bosseut Afonso are assisting the government, he said.
CANCER: Goa could be the first State in the country to take preventive measures for cervical cancer as the government has plans to provide vaccination ? now being used in UK, UAE and Singapore ? to girls in the age group of 12-15.
For this, Rane said that the Health Department would seek assistance and approval from the Centre. The State government would seek special funds for this specific purpose from the central government as the vaccine is very costly, he said.
INSURANCE: Development Commissioner and Health Secretary Anand Prakash said that formulation of a universal health insurance scheme is on the ?fast track?. It will be implemented by the newly formed Health Developmental Corporation.
INFRASTRUCTURE: Rane said that efforts are on to improve healthcare infrastructure not only at GMC but also at district hospitals and PHCs. The building itself will undergo major changes besides the commissioning of the new block, he said.
Seven GATES ambulances will be procured within a month, fitted with ventilators and other equipment, mainly to attend to accident victims. They will be stationed at main accident prone areas, he stated.
Two more additional mobile clinics will be launched soon, he said, adding that the existing two ? one each in North and South Goa ? are getting good response. Orthopaedic implants will be provided at Asilo and Hospicio too, he added.
