50k Seniors To Get Free Pneumococcal Vaccine, TeleICU Also On Cards

Porvorim: Chief minister Pramod Sawant, in his budget speech on Friday, announced a free statewide adult pneumococcal vaccination programme for 50,000 senior citizens, with Rs 5 crore allocated for the initiative.

“This will protect seniors from bacteria that infect their lungs,” he said.The CM increased the health sector budget by Rs 95.76 crore (4.5%) compared to the previous budget.Also, both district hospitals will start day-care centres for chemotherapy this year. A population-based cancer registry will also be established to create a database for improving evidence-based decision-making, cancer control measures, and health outcomes.

To reduce referrals to GMC, govt will upgrade care facilities at both district hospitals by setting up level-2 emergency care, he said.At GMC, Sawant announced that online appointments will be extended to all departments this year. The hospital will also launch telemedicine and teleICU services.He further announced the construction of a 120-bed chest and TB hospital block, a blood bank near the super speciality block at GMC, a college block for GMC, a new resident doctors’ hostel, and an allied health sciences college and hostel for 200 students.

Sawant said the 100-bed hospital at IPHB will be completed by Dec this year. The pending Rs 45 crore day-care centre project will start in April.Of the Rs 963 crore allocated for health services, Rs 60 crore is earmarked for capital expenditure. Govt will enhance manpower, equipment, machinery, ambulances, facilities, and other requirements at health centres and govt hospitals, he said.Govt will also promote statewide “neurodiversity awareness” programmes in schools in coordination with the Indian Medical Association’s Goa unit.

“The goal will be to create awareness of autism spectrum disorders and equip KG teachers with tools to recognise signs early on,” he said.Sawant also announced the establishment of a new Ayush department focused on traditional Indian medicine, along with Ayush camps across the state to spread awareness.He added that Goa Dental College will be upgraded with new medical equipment and machinery, while the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) will upgrade its laboratories with high-quality equipment such as a gas chromatography machine and microscopes to analyse food and drug samples.A new laboratory building with state-of-the-art facilities will also be constructed to meet the needs of the FDA, he said.