Panaji, March 25 The Goa government's special initiative offering free and subsidized medical check-ups for women has been receiving a positive response, an official said on Wednesday.
"#CheckedByDoctor", initiated by the Pramod Sawant-led government, began on March 8 and continues until March 31.
The initiative aims to promote preventive healthcare and early detection of diseases among women, the official said.
At a health camp organized in Panaji on the occasion of International Women's Day on March 8, as many as 56 women were screened for various conditions, including hypertension and diabetes. The camp also offered Pap smear tests and cancer screenings, while HPV vaccination was administered to girls up to 14 years of age.
Dr. Saili Shirodkar, a medical officer at the Urban Health Centre in Panaji, said that the focus of the initiative is on early diagnosis and prevention, especially as many women tend to neglect their health.
The program is being implemented across government health centers and hospitals, and has also been extended to private healthcare facilities across Goa.
Appreciating the initiative, Dr. Shekhar Salkar of Manipal Hospital Goa said that a health package that typically costs around Rs 9,000 is being offered at a subsidized rate of Rs 1,400, encouraging more women to take advantage of the facility.
