LETTER TO THE EDITOR FOR ISSUE DATED JULY 18, 2026

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR FOR ISSUE DATED JULY 18, 2026

DON’T BE SLOW, DRONGO!
THIS jovial Aussie slur is often used to tell a drongo — a slow-witted or stupid person, a fool — to pull up his socks. It’s apt for Goa today, after the startling development, where patrons younger than 21 are forbidden from entering the gambling zones of Goa’s contentious casinos.
Legalized gambling in Asia cannot be afforded the same get-out-of-jail-free card as the entitled PWD, and Cambodia, Laos, Laukkaing and the Phillipines have terrifying testimonies to that effect.
Cambodia, once a pristine backpackers’ haven (like Goem once was), is now designated by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) as a primary regional narco-hub and a base of operations for transnational organized crime — just a step away from narco-terrorism epicenter, like Mexico.
Cambodia’s gambling commission recently consulted the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation in Australia for their advice, after consistently making international headlines for all the wrong reasons. The VCGLR itself was belatedly formed after Aussie gaming giants were involved in laundering billions of dollars for Macau Triad boss Alvin Chau, through his company’s extravagant junket tours.
Cambodia, like many other countries in the global South, has greedy leaders who sign off on illegal means to generate boatloads of illicit FDI, which is where the FATF comes in — a globally recognised watchdog for anti money laundering, counter terrorism financing and preventing misuse of crypto currency by billion dollar transnational crime syndicates. India is a card carrying member of the FATF, and ought to live up to its commitments to stay abreast of, and scrupulously implement FATF recommendations.
The latest pass given to Goa’s all powerful gambling lobby is not inline with best practices followed by premier Asian gambling hubs like Singapore, South Korea, Macau and Japan. Cambodia, in its haste to escape international backlash, seems unaware that the once-bitten-twice-shy VCGLR is a client of Spectrum Gaming Group — an international consultant that manages Singapore’s gambling authority, their Home Ministry and the gaming commissions of 50 countries across 6 continents. Goa and Sikkim are missing from Spectrum’s roll of honour.
Peacable narco-tourism hotspot is an acceptable tourism selling point. Narco-terrorism epicenter run by deceitful juntas is a slur our innocent unborn future generations do NOT deserve, given Goem’s sacred lineage.
— Chris Fernandes, Goa

**BJP GOA STATE MEDICAL CELL BRAINSTORMING ON HEALTHCARE**
THIS is for the information of your readers. The BJP Goa State Medical Cell convened a brainstorming session on healthcare policy and regulatory reforms at the BJP Goa State Office under the chairmanship of Siddharth Kunkolikar, Goa Pradesh general secretary. It was attended by convenor Dr Shekhar Salkar, along with Dr Shailesh Kamat, Dr Sonia Kanekar, Dr Pratista Cuncolincar, Dr Devdutt Sail, Dr Jyoti Sawant and invitee Dr Rajesh Bhat.
The meeting focused on key policy issues aimed at strengthening Goa’s healthcare ecosystem through improved governance, regulatory reforms, and workforce development. A major point of discussion was the proposal to establish a single-window clearance system for medical establishments. Members highlighted the need to simplify the existing licensing and approval process for hospitals, clinics, dental practices, diagnostic centres and other healthcare facilities by integrating approvals from multiple government departments through unified digital platform.
The Medical Cell resolved to engage with Goa Electronics Ltd and relevant government departments to explore the technical feasibility and prepare a roadmap for implementation. It also deliberated on the service conditions of healthcare personnel working under the National Health Mission and the Directorate of Health Services, including AYUSH Medial officers and other contractual staff. Members emphasized the importance of equitable service conditions, strengthening the public healthcare workforce, and examining feasible mechanisms for regularization. It was decided that the cell would study existing polices and submit appropriate recommendations to the government.
The meeting further discussed the issue of sick leave provisions for school teachers specially in critical diseases in Goa. Members noted the importance of ensuring adequate health-related leave by cutting leaves in advance stage eg six months for early breast cancer, six month for their advanced stage and other welfare measures for teachers. The Cell resolved to undertake an evidence based review of the exiting leave policy, assess its adequacy, and examine the feasibility of recommending dedicated sick leave provisions along with preventive healthcare initiatives such as periodic health screening programs.
Another important agenda item was the review of the Goa Clinical Establishments Act. Members discussed practical challenges faced by healthcare providers in complying with the existing regulatory framework and agreed that certain provisions may require revision to better reflect Goa’s healthcare landscape. The Medical Cell resolved to consult medical associations and relevant stakeholders before proposing amendments aimed at simplifying compliance while maintaining high standards of patient safety and quality of care.

**–Dr Shekhar Salkar, Convenor, BJP Goa State Medical**

RADIATION THERAPY AT GMC HOSPITAL

RADIATION therapy equipment (such as a Linear Accelerator) is not yet fully commissioned for patient treatment at Goa Medical College (GMC), Bambolim. The good news is that, GMC has a dedicated Oncology Ward, and provides chemotherapy; patients requiring radiation therapy are typically referred elsewhere at present.

Now it is learnt that a dedicated and state-of-the-art Tertiary Cancer Care Centre at GMC — mentored by the prestigious Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), Mumbai — is currently in the pipeline to bring full-fledged radiation facilities to the state. Once this advanced facility is fully commissioned, patients will no longer need to travel outside Goa for these services. However, prompt action is required.

In the meantime, patients can explore treatment options and consultations through the following specialized services. GMC operates specialized oncology clinics with visiting consultants from TMC Mumbai to provide individualized cancer treatment plans. For immediate or urgent radiation services, many patients are referred to or seek care at private facilities in the state (such as Manipal Hospitals Goa) or specialty centers like the Tata Memorial Centre in Mumbai.

One may check ongoing OPD schedules or contact the Oncology Department via the official Goa Medical College & Hospital website. Let’s hope one day our GMC hospital will have world standards recognition.

Rajesh Banaulikar, Arpora, Goa