PANAJI: The Health Minister, Mr Vishwajit Rane on Monday said that the EIH Goa super-speciality hospital, with international standard health care facilities, once functional would not only provide best health care to the people of Goa but also help promote medical tourism in a big way.

The new hospital with 150 beds to be thrown open for public in about two years’ time from now would be equipped with speciality facilities like cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, neurosurgery, neurology, plastic surgery, etc. The Rs 120 crore hospital would be equipped with the non-invasive surgical facilities for treatment of various problems, a first of its kind in the country.
Addressing a big gathering at the foundation laying ceremony of the super speciality hospital at Bambolim, the Health Minister said that the prestigious joint venture project, first of its kind in the country under public-private partnership between the government of Goa and the Israeli conglomerate, Elbit, would offer indirect opportunity to the Goa Medical College doctors to work with the highly qualified doctors from across the world that the Israeli firm would engage to provide best health care to the people.
Stating that the launching of the new hospital was a great moment for Goa and that it has led to fulfilling of the long-cherished dream of the Goans to have hospital that would provide all facilities, hitherto not available in the state, he assured full support to EIH for faster execution of the project.
The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat who earlier unveiled the plaque to mark the laying of foundation stone, said that his government, as is the case with the central government, has accorded top priority to health care and would continue to do so in the future. He said that the state has topped in the country in health care, even as he commended the Health Minister for bringing in the novel project and said that he was happy to be associated with it. He also said that the progress made by Israel on all fronts was commendable.
The Speaker of the Goa assembly, Mr Pratapsing Rane said that it was his dream to see the best health care facilities come to Goa and that it was heartening that such a facility was being set up in the state under PPP mode. He said that once the hospital with international standard facilities becomes functional people would not have to travel elsewhere to seek treatment.
Mr Rane also said that the state should also start PPP projects in education sector to provide best facilities to the students in the state and serve the state as well as others. He also said that PPP projects were part of globalisation, which meant helping each other in the progress of mankind.
The Israeli Ambassador to India, Mr Mark Sofer described the joint venture as a “new beginning” in the Indo-Israeli ties, which he added could be described as a major milestone in metamorphosis of relations between the two nations, which have common problems mainly related to terrorism. While highlighting his country’s technological advancements, he commended capacity of the Indians to absorb new research and findings to their advantage, even as he said that the new partnership would benefit the Goans and lead to furthering the ties between the two nations.
The managing director of Elbit India Healthcare, Dr Itamar Offer in his welcome address said that the international standard hospital would create a landmark in health care in India and offer best medical facilities to the people. He also said that the second phase of the hospital would be taken up after the first phase becomes operational. About 150 more beds would be added in the second phase and more specialties would be added.
Mr Mordechay Zisser, chairman of Elbit Imaging, complimented India for closing scientific and technological gap with advanced nations and said that he was happy to be part of the turning process. He also said that in view of the joint venture Indian doctors would get opportunity to work with the best doctors in the world. He also said that non-invasive technology would be part of the new EIH hospital.
Mr Dhirubhai Mehta, president of Kasturba Gandhi Society, Sevagram-Wardha, also spoke on the occasion. Dr V N Jindal, dean of Goa Medical College, proposed a vote of thanks. Others present on the occasion included Ms Victoria Fernandes, MLA St Cruz, Ms Orna Sagiv, Consul General of Israel, Mr Sanjay Kumar Shrivastava, the Chief Secretary, Mr Rajiv Verma, Health Secretary, and Dr Rajnanda Dessai, director of Health.