Goa Minister for Health Vishwajit Rane on April 20 inaugurated the dedicated Oncology OPD and full-fledged Plastic Surgery and Burns Unit at the Goa Medical College (GMC).

Speaking reporters, Mr Rane said, ''Today dedicated burn unit has been inaugurated. Its important department of the GMC. Earlier, only people with 30 per cent burn injuries could be treated in the unit but now even people with 70 per cent burn injuries could be treated. Its an attempt to save live of the people. There was slight delay because there was requirment of dedicated Nurses and other staff.'' He said the hospital was in the process setting up its own department of oncology which was important in the wake of increase in the number of cancer patients.

''File has already been moved in the office of honourable Chief Minister and it will get cleared any moment. Lot of people are showing interest in joining the department. Proposals have been sent to the three member committee,'' he said. The Burns unit is well-equipped for the management of patients with critical and severe burns and has a dedicated medical, nursing and ancillary staff where patients are continuous monitored. This unit is also recognized under the National Programme for Prevention and Management of Burns Injury.
Mr Rane said process was underway to establish Regional Cancer Set-up which had been accorded top priority.

"We want to strengthen the GMC," he said. The Minister said GMC would be the only hospital in Goa where organ transplants would be authorized to be conducted in the state of Goa. “No other hospital in Goa will be given permission to do organ transplant. This is in the interest of Goans and Goa," he said. MLA of St Andre constituency Francisco Silveira, MLA of St Cruz Constituency Antonio Fernandes, Dean GMC, Dr Pradeep Naik, Medical Superintendent, GMC, Dr Shivanand Bandekar, Head of Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns, Dr Yuri Dias Amborcar, among others, were present on the occasion.