Goa Forward Party president, Vijai Sardesai in a letter to Health Minister Vishwajit Rane wrote that the Ministry of Public Health must include preventive heart checkup in Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana (DDSSY) Scheme.
Pointing out to the rising number of COVID-19 infections and relaxed rules and protocols across the state Sardesai said “having early detection of heart diseases would allow us as a state to be prepared and prioritize our most vulnerable citizens to the infections. Preventive check-ups would also help us as a state identify our priority citizens and frontline staff to be scheduled in the first phase of the vaccine rollout. Early detection of heart diseases can help save many Goan lives.”
The GFP Chief Vijai stated that he is raising the concern as Goa already lost 750 citizens to COVID-19, and that Sardesai wants the government to ensure the state shall see no more deaths. He urged the health minister Vishwajit Rane to be proactive and allow citizens to have access to health checkups. “We must give our people the opportunity to learn and know about any hidden diseases they are not aware of” Sardesai Said.
In the letter, the Goa Forward Chief Vijai Sardesai said that “we have taken the initiative to ensure Fatordekars have free access to a heart check up by simply calling a helpline.” Sardesai stressing on the importance of the test said, “the preventive heart checkups under in DDSY scheme should and must include examinations by physician & cardiologists, ECG checks, Stress Test, along with 2D ECHO & Strain ECHO.” Vijai further noted that he hopes that the government and the Ministry of Public Health take up this matter.
Sardesai also stated that should the checkups be of less importance to the government, the Goa Forward Party will provide free access to the public within the best of their capacity and ability to ensure all fatordekars can live a safe, and healthy life.
Earlier today, Sardesai in a video message addressed the public highlighting the details and demand of the letter sent to the health minister and urged that he and the party would ensure to follow up on their request.
