Despite the presence of health centres across the state, the lack of adequate infrastructure and unavailability of specialists are obstacles the state faces in providing the best healthcare to its residents. So what do people in Goa think about this?
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Over the last three days, at a summit held in Goa called Difficult Dialogues, experts discussed the challenges India faces in creating conditions for good health and access to healthcare for all citizens. Emphasis was given on the need to create a new a new health policy, increasing the public health budget and providing affordable health amenities in rural areas especially in rural areas.
Drawing parallels from the findings at the summit, Goans felt that the situation in Goa also needs greater attention and that some of the recommendations suggested to improve India's healthcare can be used to treat the problems ailing healthcare in the state.
Besides Goa's premier medical college and hospital at Bambolim, there are only two district hospitals in the state where Goans can visit for specialist medical treatment or access the latest in health technology and facilities. While there are primary and community health centres, most of them are currently in a poor condition with some of them being housed in old dilapidated structures while others are located at locations that are at far distances from rural residential areas. Due to this, Goans are using household savings or borrowing money to pay for private healthcare as there is a shortfall of specialists–surgeons, obstetricians, gynaecologists, physicians and paediatricians, at the health centres.
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Recently, a friend of mine needed urgent medical attention but due to the lack of adequate facilities on the coastal belt, a lot of time got wasted. It was only after a few hours that he was finally admitted to a hospital. Goa is a tourist state and it is surprising the coastal belt doesn't have proper infrastructure. The healthcare centres especially in the rural hours play an important role in providing medical assistance in the case of emergencies as it is important that the patient gets early treatment and access to medical professionals to provide the correct diagnosis.
Jayesh Gaad, Saligao
It is definitely an issue but at the same time it is important that the staff present at these public health centres and hospitals need to be appreciated. They are managing with the resources available and many of them don't even get enough sleep and yet are there on their feet all day. Their views need to be taken into consideration as their insights on the shortfalls and requirements would definitely be valuable. Issues regarding medical supplies, basic stuff like linen and electricity problems need to be looked into on priority.
Zester Rodrigues, Loutolim
Along with augmenting the current setup, there needs to be a strong focus on creating proper awareness across the state, in urban as well as rural areas with the same intensity. People to know about the basic do's and don'ts if there is any epidemic in their area. For instance, whenever anyone in the neighbourhood contracts a vector borne disease like dengue, malaria etc, the health centres will send staff to fog and clean the area and they try to spread awareness. This needs to be done in advance as prevention is better than cure.
Nadeem Shaikh
I think a great assessment would be if there is a case study done comparing the situation in Goa to the situation in other states. Every year there are these surveys that talk about which is the best state in the country in terms of its healthcare. Goa should then try and aspire to compete with the states that are doing well and perhaps a team can be sent there to inspect the conditions and pick up on various factors that can improve the situation in Goa. This will go a long way in helping Goa's image.
Ankur Pant
Healthcare is such an important area and the government has to accord this the highest priority as it can be the difference between saving lives. The situation on the ground needs to be constantly reviewed and more importantly the recommendations that come forward needs to be implemented. It should not be the case where we have all the answers and yet we are still far away from finding the solution to the current woes. Accountability is the need of the hour and a commission or a team on those lines should be tasked with this job.
Kareesha D'souza
