Goa Minister for Health Vishwajit Rane on August 6 launched Newborn Screening Programme organized by the Directorate of Health Services, Panaji, and Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim, at Goa Medical College, Bambolim.

While addressing the gathering, Mr Rane expressed his happiness over the restarting of Newborn Screening Programme and said saving life of a new born was a big responsibility as the state was concerned. Quality health care was very important and Goa was the first state to initiate the programme forward, he added. The Minister said there were a number of inborn errors of metabolism that babies could be born with but they could be completely cured if diagnosed immediately after the birth. 

The program would be extremely beneficial to the people of Goa, he said and urged the people to avail benefit of the programme for the well being of the new born child. Dean of Goa Medical College and Hospital Dr Pradeep Naik, Director of Directorate of Health Services Dr Sanjeev Dalvi and CEO of Neaogen Labs, Bangalore, Thomas Mookken were present on the ocassion. The programme was followed by the demonstration of newborn screening Test.