Panaji: Raising serious concerns over public health and patient safety, activist Elvis Gomes has questioned the Goa government over reports that anti-venom supplied to the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) could be spurious, warning that any lapse in quality could prove fatal.
Gomes alleged that despite the seriousness of the matter, the state government has not taken decisive action. He questioned why stringent measures have not been initiated if the allegations about the anti-venom’s quality are true and sought clarity on whether the Goa Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) is protecting the suppliers involved.
“Anti-venom is the difference between life and death,” Gomes said, stressing that any compromise in its quality poses a direct threat to patients suffering from snake bites and other venom-related emergencies.
Tagging Health Minister Vishwajit Rane and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Gomes demanded an immediate clarification and called for transparency in the procurement and testing of life-saving medicines.
The issue has triggered concern among health activists, who have urged authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and fix accountability to safeguard public health.
