Super-speciality hospital: Rane makes case for more funds

Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Monday said he would need at least another Rs160-200 crore for the full commissioning of the new Super Speciality Hospital.

Speaking at the World Cancer Day event, Rane said the cancer hospital work will be completed in the next 15 to 16 months.

“We are taking two Cath Labs worth Rs 13 crore for the new hospitals. I need a minimum of Rs 160 crore to Rs 200 crore for the commissioning of the new Super Speciality Hospital,” Rane said.

Meanwhile, Rane took aim at the Mohalla Clinic model of primary health care of the Aam Aadmi Party’s Delhi government.

Targeting the AAP’s flagship health programme, Rane said people should instead follow the ‘Goa model’.

“People should follow the Goa Model and not run after the Delhi model in health services….the Delhi model is not even close to us, what we do in health services,” Rane said.

The health minister’s comments evoked sharp reaction from AAP’s Benaulim MLA, Venzy Viegas and the party’s State Convenor, Amit Palekar.

“Delhi’s #MohallaClinics have been hailed by world leaders & experts. Some CMs have emulated it in their own States. Least it needs is validation from you @visrane,” Viegas said in a tweet.

Viegas in the tweet also advised Rane to devote his time and energy to improving Primary Health Centres and Urban Health Centres, many of which are in pathetic condition.

Palekar also took to Twitter to hit out at Rane over his targeting of Delhi’s Mohalla Clinics while describing Goa’s health services under his charge as “pathetic”.

“Hope you recollect Oxygen fiasco we exposed during pandemic. Nearest to the capital, Merces and Chimbel villages do not have PHC speaks volumes. Happy to give you study of Mohalla Clinics,” Palekar tweeted. The Goan Everyday