Tag: Goa Medical College

Health

Cardiovascular Diseases Account for 17% of Deaths in Goa: Dr Roque Wiseman Pinto

Tanisha Cardozo

Cardiovascular diseases account for 17 per cent of all deaths in Goa, making them the single largest cause of mortality in the state, senior pathologist Dr Roque Wiseman Pinto said on Saturday.

Dr Pinto was speaking at an interactive presentation titled ‘Life’s Journey – The Long Haul’, organised as part of the centenary celebrations of Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias in Panaji. Drawing from his long engagement with medical records and postmortem data, including a 2008 study on mortality patterns in Goa, he underlined the growing burden of heart disease in the state.

“At the medical records department, I studied postmortem reports, pathology findings and death certificates and found that cardiovascular diseases were the most common cause of death among people in Goa, accounting for about seventeen per cent,” Dr Pinto said.

He attributed the rise in heart ailments to lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption and drug use, along with underlying conditions like hypertension and diabetes. According to him, cardiac conditions including myocardial infarction, arrhythmias and heart failure are increasingly affecting younger individuals. “Usually heart attacks would occur in older people, sixty years and above, but in the last ten years we have seen younger people with heart attacks,” he noted.

Dr Pinto also highlighted the high prevalence of diabetes in Goa, stating that nearly one in four people in the state are affected. He warned that uncontrolled diabetes can lead to serious complications such as kidney failure, stroke, dementia and organ damage. He pointed out that diabetic foot remains a major concern, with Goa Medical College performing an average of one amputation daily, either of a toe or an entire leg.

Addressing cancer, he said that around 30 per cent of cases are linked to smoking and passive smoking. He explained that cancer develops due to genetic changes, including in oncogenes and repair genes, and that environmental and lifestyle factors such as pollution, alcohol, certain occupations, infections and food additives also contribute to risk.

On pollution, Dr Pinto cited extensively studied cases in Delhi, where air pollution has been linked to construction activity, vehicular emissions and industrial operations. In Goa, he identified mining areas, coal handling, industrial estates and road construction as emerging concerns. He warned that pollution can lead to severe lung and respiratory diseases and may even affect unborn children through the placenta.

Emphasising preventive healthcare, Dr Pinto stressed that lifestyle choices remain the primary determinant of health outcomes and urged individuals to adopt healthier habits to reduce the growing burden of disease in the state.

Social

Blood Donation Drive Organised at St Francis Xavier Church, Duler

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes ||Team Allycaral 

Duler, Goa | February 8, 2026:
The Social Apostolate Animation Team, in association with the Parish Youth Group of St Francis Xavier Church, Duler, successfully organised a Blood Donation Drive on Sunday, February 8, 2026, with the aim of promoting awareness about voluntary blood donation and strengthening community service initiatives.


The programme was graced by Dr Rajesh Patil, Medical Superintendent of Goa Medical College, who attended as the Chief Guest. Addressing the gathering, Dr Patil highlighted the importance of regular blood donation in saving lives and urged young people to actively participate in humanitarian efforts that support the healthcare system.

The drive saw enthusiastic participation from parishioners, youth volunteers and local residents. Members of the Parish Youth Group played a crucial role in coordinating the event, assisting donors and ensuring smooth execution throughout the day.

The blood donation process was conducted under the supervision of medical professionals, with all safety and health protocols strictly followed. Organisers expressed their gratitude to the donors, volunteers and medical teams for their cooperation and support, noting that such initiatives not only address critical healthcare needs but also foster a spirit of unity and social responsibility within the community.

Social

Vedanta Sesa Goa Conducts ‘Raktadaan Abhiyaan’, Donates ~150 Units of Blood Across Goa

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Vedanta Sesa Goa, in collaboration with Goa Medical College, Bambolim, successfully organised blood donation drives across various locations in Goa as part of its ‘Raktadaan Abhiyaan’ initiative. Conducted under the company’s CSR programme Project Aarogya, the initiative brought together employees, business partners and students of Sesa Technical School, resulting in the collection of approximately 150 units of blood.

The donation camps were organised at Amona, Sankhli and Bicholim, witnessing enthusiastic participation from volunteers who came forward to contribute to this life-saving cause. The initiative reflects Vedanta Sesa Goa’s continued commitment to community welfare through active volunteerism and healthcare support.

According to Government of India data, the country requires nearly 14.6 million units of blood annually, with over 70 per cent of the requirement fulfilled through voluntary donations. In line with this national need, Vedanta Sesa Goa has organised over 35 blood donation camps between 2023 and 2025, contributing close to 2,000 units of blood across states.

Expressing his thoughts, Navin Jaju, CEO of Vedanta Sesa Goa, said it was a matter of immense pride to see employees, business partners and students stepping up for the noble act of blood donation. He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to giving back meaningfully to the communities it operates in, highlighting the milestone of over 2,000 units donated since 2023.

Representing the medical fraternity, Dr Sanjay from Goa Medical College appreciated the collaboration and thanked the volunteers for making the initiative a success. He noted that Vedanta Sesa Goa’s efforts play an important role in addressing critical healthcare needs while strengthening community engagement.

Beyond blood collection, the camps also served as awareness platforms on HIV-AIDS and the importance of voluntary blood donation. Through Project Aarogya, Vedanta Sesa Goa has positively impacted more than 82,000 lives in FY 2024 and FY 2025 through initiatives such as multispecialty mega health camps, mobile health units, health awareness sessions and medical equipment distribution, reinforcing its holistic approach to community healthcare and wellbeing.

Sports

Goa’s Megan De Almeida Wins Bronze at All India Inter University Aquatics Championship

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

Goa witnessed a proud sporting moment as Megan De Almeida from Divar secured a Bronze medal in the Women’s 3-Meter Springboard Diving event at the All India Inter University Aquatics (M & W) Championship 2025–2026. The prestigious national-level championship was held from December 18 to 23 at the Dr. T.R. Paarivendhar Aquatic Complex at SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu.

Representing Goa at the competition organised by SRM Institute of Science and Technology under the auspices of the Association of Indian Universities, Megan stood out among 18 divers from universities across the country to finish on the podium. Her performance reflected both technical skill and composure at a highly competitive event.

Megan further demonstrated her versatility by securing a commendable fourth-place finish in the 1-Meter Springboard event, narrowly missing a second medal in a field of 22 participants. The close margins underlined the intense level of competition and her growing potential on the national stage.

A third-year MBBS student at Goa Medical College under Goa University, Megan balances her demanding academic schedule with rigorous athletic training. She trains at the Panjim Campal Diving Pool under the guidance of her coach, Mr. P. Narasimhalu, whose mentorship has played a key role in her progress.

Commenting on her performance, her coach noted that Megan showed exceptional promise despite limited preparation time, describing her as a natural and graceful diver who missed higher podium finishes by only a few points. Her achievement not only adds to Goa’s sporting pride but also highlights the rising presence of Goan athletes in national university-level competitions.

Social

Caring Souls and GMC Students Bring Smiles to Hospital Wards This Christmas

allycaralgoa

Written by Allycaral Desk

The 2023 batch of students from Goa Medical College (GMC), in collaboration with Caring Souls Goa, recently organised a heartwarming Christmas celebration at the Paediatrics and Geriatrics wards of a local hospital, spreading joy among patients, families, and healthcare staff.

This meaningful initiative marked the fourth consecutive year that Caring Souls Goa has brought festive cheer to hospital wards, continuing a tradition of compassion and community service. For the students and volunteers, the aim was simple yet profound — to become a family away from home for patients who are unable to celebrate Christmas with their loved ones.

For the past three years, Caring Souls Goa has consistently worked to uplift spirits within hospital spaces, and this year’s celebration once again reflected the true essence of Christmas — love, kindness, and togetherness. Through carol singing, gift distribution, and warm interactions, the team created moments of happiness that will be cherished long after the festivities.

The event was led by Sangam Sawant, representing the GMC students, and Abisha Fernandes, Secretary of Caring Souls Goa. Together, they guided the students in singing melodious Christmas carols that echoed through the wards, creating a festive and comforting atmosphere.

Adding to the joy, gifts and chocolates were distributed to children and elderly patients, bringing smiles, laughter, and a sense of celebration to their day. The simple gestures of kindness made a lasting impact, reminding everyone present of the power of empathy and human connection.

This initiative stands as a testament to the compassion of young medical students and volunteers who, despite demanding schedules, chose to dedicate time to those in need. Through their actions, they demonstrated that the spirit of Christmas lies not only in celebration, but in service, care, and shared humanity.