MAPUSA
Health Minister Vishwajit Rane assured the Goa Legislative Assembly on Thursday that a comprehensive study will be commissioned through a national agency to investigate the alarming number of kidney cases in Canacona.
Rane also pledged to increase the number of dialysis centers, especially in remote areas of the State.
“I will speak to the Secretary of Health, Government of India. A team from the State will be sent to Delhi in this regard after the assembly session,” Rane said, responding to concerns raised by Curtorim MLA Aleixo Lourenco over the rise in kidney cases.
Lourenco highlighted the steady increase in patients suffering from kidney failures and questioned the government’s steps to provide adequate facilities for these patients.
He noted that patients often have to book dialysis sessions in advance and inquired whether new dialysis centers would be opened and if the cost of dialysis would be reduced.
Rane assured that all medicines are provided free of cost in government hospitals and confirmed plans to open more dialysis centers in rural areas. Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar, the MLA of Canacona, emphasized the need to investigate the high incidence of kidney failures in Canacona and ensure proper treatment for patients.
Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai pointed out the alarming statistics, noting that one kidney patient is reported for every 442 people in Canacona, compared to one in 1,062 in Valpoi and one in 1,780 in Salcete.
“It clearly shows how grave a concern it is for the people of Canacona,” Sardesai said.
“It looks like you (health minister) are not getting sanction for doctors. Because of your problem, people should not die,” he added.
In a written reply, Rane disclosed that the number of kidney failure cases reported at Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) has been about two to three per day over the past three years.
The number of patients reported per year at GMCH was 883 in 2021-2022, 1,005 in 2022-2023, and 1,210 in 2023-2024.
Rane noted that kidney diseases are most common in males aged 40 to 80, with diabetes mellitus and hypertension being the leading causes.
Rane listed the existing dialysis centers under the Directorate of Health Services and GMCH, including facilities in Bardez, Bicholim, Pernem, Sattari, Tiswadi, Ponda, Canacona, Dharbandora, Mormugao, Quepem, and Salcete.
He emphasized that awareness programs about kidney diseases are regularly organized by the Government of Goa and GMCH for the public and medical community.
