Welcoming the Union Budget 2026–27, Surendra Prasad, Hospital Director, Manipal Hospital Goa, has termed the government’s proposal to establish five regional medical hubs across the country as a transformative step for India’s healthcare ecosystem.
He said the creation of integrated medical hubs—bringing together advanced hospitals, diagnostics, rehabilitation, and wellness facilities—will help decentralise quality healthcare services and reduce the need for patients to travel long distances for specialised treatment.
“This approach ensures that patients receive timely, accessible, and high-quality care closer to home. Strengthening regional healthcare capacity is critical to improving overall health outcomes and reducing pressure on metropolitan hospitals,” Prasad stated.
Highlighting the Goa perspective, he noted that the announcement presents a significant opportunity for the state. “Goa already enjoys a strong reputation in tourism and wellness. Strengthening healthcare infrastructure through regional medical hubs can position Goa as a preferred destination for medical and wellness tourism, benefiting both residents and visitors,” he added.
Prasad also welcomed the Budget’s emphasis on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models and national insurance coverage, stating that these measures will accelerate infrastructure development while ensuring affordability and accessibility.
“The focus on collaboration between the public and private sectors, combined with expanded insurance coverage, brings us closer to achieving equitable, timely, and quality healthcare for all,” he concluded.
Margao, Goa – Victor Hospital and Medical Services Pvt. Ltd. proudly announces a significant milestone with the launch of its Blood Component Centre, the first facility of its kind in the region.
This state-of-the-art facility further strengthens Victor Hospital’s leadership in emergency and specialized medical care by ensuring the availability of essential blood components, including whole blood, packed red blood cells (PRBC), leucoreduced PRBC, platelet concentrate, and fresh frozen plasma (FFP).
The centre has received formal approval and licensing from both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Central Licensing Authority (CDSCO) — a major advancement for Goa’s healthcare system. Patients in South Goa had to travel long distances during critical emergencies to access blood components. This new centre bridges that gap, ensuring timely and potentially life-saving access for conditions requiring transfusion support, such as trauma and emergency, major surgeries, cancer care, anaemia, clotting disorders, thrombocytopenia, and severe dengue.
The Blood Component Centre was formally inaugurated on 14th June, commemorating World Blood Donor Day, in the presence of Hon’ble MLA Mr. Digambar Kamat, Chairperson of Margao Municipality Shri Damodar Shirodkar, Social Worker Mr. Yogiraj Kamat, Directors Mr. Varun Albuquerque and Ms. Roana Costa, MS & COO Dr. Ajay Gangoli, and Sr. Pathologist Dr. Eugene D’Souza. A mega blood donation camp was also held, and the 11th edition of Health Vogue was released to mark the occasion.
Dr. Ajay Gangoli, COO of Victor Hospital, stated that this service not only enhances patient care, but also ensures safer outcomes for people across the state and beyond. “This also affirms our commitment to reach more people and provide uncompromised care when it matters most,” he added.
Dr. Eugene D’Souza, M.D., Senior Consultant at the Victor Hospital Blood Centre, said, “This is not just a milestone for Victor Hospital – it marks a turning point in healthcare delivery for South Goa. A key highlight is the availability of leucoreduced PRBC, which undergoes a special filtration process to remove white blood cells. The blood is thoroughly tested to ensure safe transfusions.”
Mr. Varun Albuquerque, Director of Alcon Victor Group, said, “We are proud to establish an advanced facility that can make a real difference in emergencies. This Centre reflects our values—clinical excellence, timely access, and compassion. It is our way of giving back to the people of Goa by building something that saves lives every day.”
Mr. Digambar Kamat, Hon’ble MLA of Margao, who inaugurated the facility, stated, “Victor Hospital continues to be a pillar of strength for healthcare in South Goa. With the Blood Component Centre, they are setting a new benchmark. I congratulate the entire team for this achievement and their unwavering service to the community.”
Ms. Roana Costa, Executive Director, added, “Our efforts go beyond infrastructure. We want to build awareness and inspire a culture of regular blood donation. With our Health Vogue magazine, now in its 11th edition, we continue to create meaningful health conversations across Goa.”
Victor Hospital’s ecosystem is supported by a committed team of super-specialists, enabling the delivery of comprehensive, holistic care across departments. In line with its mission to promote safe blood transfusions, Victor Hospital is also launching a voluntary blood donation campaign. Regular donation drives will be organized in collaboration with NGOs, community groups, and corporate partners to reduce dependency on replacement donors and ease the burden on families during crises.
As part of the celebration, Victor Hospital felicitated ten selfless blood donors on world blood donor day for their invaluable contributions to saving lives. A special recognition was accorded to Mr. Sudesh Narvekar, who has donated blood over 100 times, serving as an inspiring example of dedication to humanity and community health.
In a significant development, Goa Medical College (GMC) has taken a major leap forward in enhancing its healthcare infrastructure. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between GMC and Hospital Services Consultancy Corporation (HSCC) Limited, paving the way for the construction of a cutting-edge building dedicated to immunohematology and blood transfusion services.
Integrating Latest Advancements in Transfusion Medicine This initiative aims to integrate the latest advancements in transfusion medicine, providing unparalleled support to GMC’s superspecialty block and the forthcoming tertiary cancer center. The new facility will be equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure, enabling the provision of specialized blood transfusion services that cater to the complex needs of patients.
Postgraduate Programs in Transfusion Medicine Notably, the new center will also offer postgraduate programs in transfusion medicine, a specialization available in only a select number of medical colleges nationwide. This development is poised to establish GMC as a hub for excellence in transfusion medicine, attracting students and professionals from across the country.
Enhancing Healthcare Infrastructure in Goa The construction of this new facility underscores GMC’s commitment to enhancing its healthcare infrastructure and providing world-class medical services to the people of Goa. By leveraging the expertise of HSCC Limited, GMC aims to create a center of excellence that sets new benchmarks in transfusion medicine and immunohematology.
A New Era in Healthcare for Goa As GMC embarks on this ambitious project, the people of Goa can look forward to a new era in healthcare, characterized by specialized services, cutting-edge infrastructure, and a commitment to excellence. With its focus on transfusion medicine and immunohematology, this new facility is poised to make a significant impact on the healthcare landscape of Goa.
