Panaji (Goa): In what can be the strongest worded statement, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane has admitted that the blood sucking agents are acting in Goa Medical College and Hospital.

“There are blood sucking agents in Goa Medical College and hospital who are exploiting the poor people and exploiting them and charging them whopping fees,” Rane told reporters.

The Minister said that the patients admitted there are forced to pay up to Rs 800-1,000 per testing in absence of a proper facility at GMCH. “All the blood has to be given to private laboratories. This will stop as we have decided to put up proper blood testing facility in GMCH within 60 days,” he said.

“The health department had a marathon meeting this morning and I am of the opinion that no blood testing of GMCH should go out,” he said.

“We are going to ensure that not only basic tests but tests related to different parameters of cardiology would be made in GMCH. Whatever support is required from the state government for GMCH, would be provided,” he added.

The Minister said that the current standards of conducting crucial Elisa test in GMCH has turned outdated, risking the lives of patients. “Safety of patients is also important. We are using outdated standards of ‘Elisa’ in GMCH which is nowhere used. So we are coming up with new equipment which can scan the blood. We will develop the blood bank in three phases,” he said.

“We have also taken a decision to make blood bank as a separate department. A note has been moved to make it as a separate department. We want to function in a very streamlined fashion. All types of facilities would be provided and certain standards would be maintained,” he added.

Team TNV