Panaji: The process for setting up the regional cancer centre at Goa Medical College (GMC) has been set in motion, with the Centre releasing the first installment of Rs 8.5 crore.
"The first installment has been credited to the state treasury," health minister Vishwajit Rane said, during an interaction with reporters on Friday.
Rane said that he relentlessly pursued the project during the last few months to get it initiated. The Rs 50-crore project, he said, is expected to be completed in 12 months once the bidding process is completed.
The Centre would bear 60% of the total project cost, with the state pitching in the remaining 40%.
"Since the first installment has been released, we can now kick-start the project," the health minister said.
The project's civic component is estimated at Rs 10-12 crore, part of which will be contributed by the state government, said Rane. The maximum amount permissible for purchasing the equipment, including construction, is Rs 45 crore. The recommended cost for the equipment is Rs 40 crore.
The Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) has been appointed as the nodal agency for the project. The file has been moved to the chief minister for empanelling HSCC Limited, a hospital services consultancy.
"HSCC is known for its services in healthcare. We can improve our healthcare infrastructure if we have them empaneled. I'm keen to have them on board," said Rane.
Rane further stated that the government would also initiate the process for recruiting staff for the cancer centre.
"Goa needs its own cancer treatment centre as cancer cases are on the rise. From my constituency itself, I know three cases of cancer detected recently," he said.
Owing to the lack of a cancer treatment facility here, Rane said Goans are compelled to go to Mumbai's Tata Memorial Center. They face difficulties there as the hospital doesn't offer "credit facility."
To a question, Rane said outstation patients will not be charged at the regional centre, and the services will be free for all.
"The first installment has been credited to the state treasury," health minister Vishwajit Rane said, during an interaction with reporters on Friday.
Rane said that he relentlessly pursued the project during the last few months to get it initiated. The Rs 50-crore project, he said, is expected to be completed in 12 months once the bidding process is completed.
The Centre would bear 60% of the total project cost, with the state pitching in the remaining 40%.
"Since the first installment has been released, we can now kick-start the project," the health minister said.
The project's civic component is estimated at Rs 10-12 crore, part of which will be contributed by the state government, said Rane. The maximum amount permissible for purchasing the equipment, including construction, is Rs 45 crore. The recommended cost for the equipment is Rs 40 crore.
The Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) has been appointed as the nodal agency for the project. The file has been moved to the chief minister for empanelling HSCC Limited, a hospital services consultancy.
"HSCC is known for its services in healthcare. We can improve our healthcare infrastructure if we have them empaneled. I'm keen to have them on board," said Rane.
Rane further stated that the government would also initiate the process for recruiting staff for the cancer centre.
"Goa needs its own cancer treatment centre as cancer cases are on the rise. From my constituency itself, I know three cases of cancer detected recently," he said.
Owing to the lack of a cancer treatment facility here, Rane said Goans are compelled to go to Mumbai's Tata Memorial Center. They face difficulties there as the hospital doesn't offer "credit facility."
To a question, Rane said outstation patients will not be charged at the regional centre, and the services will be free for all.
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