93 pc patients treated in GMCH are Goans, Govt tells House

Majority of patients arriving at Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) are locals, but the actual figure of non-Goans treated at the facility cannot be ascertained as patients provide local address of their relatives, the state government told the Assembly today.
"As per the addresses given by the patients and relatives at the time of registration of the patients at GMCH, 93 per cent are Goans," Health Minister Francis D'Souza informed the Assembly in a written reply.
D'Souza said only four per cent are from Maharashtra, two per cent are from Karnataka and one per cent from other states.
"It is observed that patients (who are non-Goans) at the time of registration often disclose their temporary address in Goa or address of their relatives residing in Goa. Hence, the exact number of non-Goans visiting Goa Medical College and Hospital cannot be ascertained," the minister said.

The Health Minister said no other state compensated GMCH for treating its patients. State-run GMCH is located at Bambolim near here.