Government of Goa’s Medical Assistance Initiative Reaches First Beneficiary at Manipal Hospital Goa

Government of Goa’s Medical Assistance Initiative Reaches First Beneficiary at Manipal Hospital Goa
Goa, 19 October 2026: The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant, handed over a cheque of ₹2 lakh under the Chief Minister’s Medical Assistance Scheme to Mr. Surendra Prasad, Hospital Director, Manipal Hospital Goa, on behalf of a patient undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer. The handover marks the rollout of the Government of Goa’s initiative to provide financial support to eligible patients facing high medical expenses.

The programme was held at Manipal Hospital Goa in the presence of Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant; Mr. Surendra Prasad, Hospital Director; Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Senior Consultant, Surgical Oncology; Dr. Dhiraj Haribhau Kachare, Associate Consultant, Surgical Oncology; Dr. Sredharan M, Consultant Surgical Oncologist; Dr. Nishank Halarnkar, Doctor, Chief Minister’s Medical Assistance Cell and Mr. Somnath Kashinath Jadhav, Nodal Officer, Chief Minister’s Medical Assistance Cell, Government of Goa
The scheme, introduced under the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, aims to ease the financial burden on families dealing with serious illnesses and costly medical procedures. Eligible patients can receive financial assistance based on the recommendations of the Chief Minister’s Medical Committee, helping them manage treatment expenses and access essential medical care.
The scheme also provides an avenue for eligible patients to seek additional financial assistance when treatment expenses exceed the prescribed coverage limits under existing healthcare schemes such as Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana (DDSSY), Mediclaim and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), subject to the applicable terms and approval process.
Speaking on the occasion, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant, said, “A serious illness can turn the life of an entire family upside down, with treatment costs adding to their fear and uncertainty. Through the Chief Minister’s Medical Assistance Scheme, we aim to support eligible patients and ease this financial burden. The true value of this assistance lies in the hope it brings and the opportunity it gives patients to focus on treatment and recovery. When the government, healthcare institutions and society work together, we can ensure that financial constraints do not become a barrier to essential medical care. Medicine can treat a disease, technology can support a diagnosis, but compassion gives patients the strength to keep fighting.”
Mr. Surendra Prasad, Hospital Director, said, “We sincerely thank the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant, and the Government of Goa for this thoughtful initiative. The Chief Minister’s Medical Assistance Scheme reflects a strong commitment to supporting patients in need and strengthening access to healthcare across the state.”
Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Senior Consultant, Surgical Oncology, Manipal Hospital Goa, said, “Cancer and other life-threatening diseases place an immense emotional, social and financial burden on patients and their families. Financial assistance offers more than monetary relief. It provides hope and reassurance during a difficult time. Manipal Hospital Goa was the first hospital to extend DDSSY benefits to a patient, with the first case under the scheme performed by me. Initiatives such as these help reduce financial barriers and make essential treatment more accessible to those who need it most.”
The Chief Minister’s Medical Assistance Scheme strengthens the support available to eligible residents of Goa who require financial assistance for medical treatment. The initiative reinforces the importance of collaboration between the government, healthcare institutions and the wider community in supporting patients with serious health conditions. By helping eligible families manage treatment expenses, the scheme aims to make healthcare more accessible and provide support when it is needed most.