PORVORIM: Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Thursday stated in the Legislative Assembly that the government will commission a comprehensive study through a national agency to investigate the alarmingly high incidence of kidney ailments in Canacona taluka. Replying to a starred question tabled by Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, the Minister said, “I will speak to the Secretary (Health) Government of India. A team of doctors from Goa will be sent to Delhi in this regard after the end of the Assembly session.”
Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai pointed out that there was one kidney disease patient in every 442 people in Canacona compared to one in every 1,832 in Sattari and one in every 1,732 in Salcete taluka. Stating that kidney ailments are a big issue in Canacona taluka, he said that according to a 2010 report of the Indian Journal of Science and Technology, kidney disorders in Canacona were happening due to mycotoxins (natural toxins from fungi). He urged the government to identify and reduce the causes of kidney diseases. Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar also asserted that it is a very serious issue in Canacona taluka and the Health Department needs to ensure that proper treatment is provided to the patients.
Rane assured that dialysis centres in the State would be increased, specifically for the benefit of remote areas, to ease the burden of people traveling long distances. A new dialysis unit will be opened in the Benaulim constituency on August 9, he said.
Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco raised the issue of the high number of cases of kidney failure in Canacona taluka and questioned what plans the Health Minister had for early detection.
Operation theatre at Bicholim health centre being used as godown: MLA
PORVORIM: In a shocking revelation, Bicholim MLA Dr Chandrakant Shetye remarked that the operation theatre (OT) of the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Bicholim was being used as a godown or storeroom, with various items dumped inside. He also raised concerns about the shortage of nurses and doctors at the CHC, which caters to around 6,500 patients in the OPD (Out-Patient Department) alone. Dr Shetye demanded that ECG, X-ray, and other technicians be made available 24x7.
Responding to the concerns, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane told Dr Shetye that, before he took over, even the minor OT at the Goa Medical College (GMC) in Bambolim was being used as a godown, and nurses were storing food in fridges meant for medicines. Rane emphasised the need to recruit doctors from outside the State, if necessary and noted that Cabinet approval is required to fill vacant posts.
Rane reiterated that the government would need to tweak the recruitment policy and obtain sanction from the Chief Minister to address the shortage of doctors. He also added that the salary structure for doctors would need to be revised.
“Is the Health Minister not getting funds sanctioned due to differences with the Chief Minister,” remarked Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai. People should not suffer due to differences between you and the Chief Minister, he told Rane.