https://biospectrumindia.com/rssfeed/states/goa goa https://biospectrumindia.com/news/114/28547/experts-call-to-align-policy-and-implementation-for-scalable-cardiac-care.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/114/28547/experts-call-to-align-policy-and-implementation-for-scalable-cardiac-care.html Sat, 26 Sep 2026 16:26:06 +0530 The National CVD Summit 2026 concluded in Goa after three days of focused deliberations aimed at narrowing the gap between cardiovascular policy and on-ground implementation. Organised by the Government of Goa in association with Tricog Health, the summit kicked off on 25 September 2026 at Varca, Goa, under the theme “Policy and Implementation for Scalable Cardiovascular Care.” The summit brought together policymakers, cardiologists, physicians, endocrinologists, paediatric and maternal health specialists, public health leaders, researchers, programme implementers and health technology experts to examine the cardiovascular care continuum, from prevention and early detection to emergency response, referral, treatment and long-term management. Across scientific presentations, state case studies and panel discussions, the focus remained on models that can move beyond isolated centres of excellence and work reliably across districts, states and varied health-system settings. Vishwajit Rane, Minister for Health, Government of Goa, led the formal inaugural ceremony on 26 September and said, "Thirty-five years ago, when my father had a heart attack, there was no ambulance and no cardiac expertise nearby, only a drive to Goa Medical College and a phone call to doctors in Bombay and the United States for guidance. That is the gap this programme was built to close. In Goa, no patient is turned away, and no protocol is compromised, and patients get everything free of cost from Treatment to Medication." The first day established the breadth of India’s cardiovascular challenge. Sessions examined the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the way hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia and cardio-kidney-metabolic risk feed into it.Wing Commander Dr Shamanna S. Iyengar, Chair, Scientific Committee, National CVD Summit 2026, and Consultant Cardiologist, Manipal Hospital, Bengaluru, said: "Cardiovascular disease remains the world's leading cause of death: 19.4 million lives lost in 2023, 28.6% of all deaths globally, with male CVD rates up nearly 43% since 1990. That picture lands squarely on India, where nearly 3.1 million lives were lost to CVD in 2024 alone, against a backdrop where diabetes, abdominal obesity and high cholesterol are now the norm rather than the exception." Dr C. N. Manjunath, Member of Parliament and former Director of the Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences & Research, delivered the keynote address on “Cardiovascular Care in India,” and said, “Sixty per cent of India lives without access to a cath lab, and every thirty minutes of delay raises the risk of death by seven per cent. We already have what we need: tenecteplase, AI-assisted diagnosis, and a hub-and-spoke model proven in both Karnataka and Goa. What's missing is the policy to match it, at scale, everywhere. Heart attack cannot wait." A major focus of the summit was India’s response to ST-elevation myocardial infarction, where time to diagnosis and reperfusion can determine outcomes. The programme brought together implementation experiences from Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Punjab, allowing delegates to compare how different states are approaching hub-and-spoke networks, first-contact diagnosis, transport, spoke capability, referral and data systems. Goa’s own hub-and-spoke STEMI experience was discussed alongside other state models, giving the summit a practical implementation lens rather than a purely academic one.  A dedicated session on AI and technology explored the role of national-scale clinical operations, AI-enabled diagnostics, and the regulatory considerations involved in deploying medical devices within CVD programmes. This was followed by state reflections on implementation, allowing participating states to share what had worked, what remained difficult and what could be adapted elsewhere.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/114/28530/health-minister-of-goa-launches-indias-first-dedicated-life-course-immunisation-policy-20262036.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/114/28530/health-minister-of-goa-launches-indias-first-dedicated-life-course-immunisation-policy-20262036.html Wed, 23 Sep 2026 17:17:37 +0530 With an aim to strengthen protection against vaccine-preventable diseases across adulthood, the Government of Goa has launched India’s first dedicated Life-course Immunisation Policy 2026–2036. Titled “Goa Policy for Life-course Immunisation 2026–2036”, the policy and its operational guidelines were developed by the Directorate of Health Services, Goa, in collaboration with Goa Institute of Management (GIM) and Goa Medical College, drawing on consultations with experts at the state and national levels. Vishwajit Pratapsingh Rane, Minister for Health, Government of Goa, formally released the policy, making Goa the first state in the country to adopt a dedicated policy focused on life-course immunisation. The ten-year state policy is designed to extend the benefits of vaccination beyond childhood and integrate adult vaccination into routine healthcare. Speaking at the launch, Vishwajit Pratapsingh Rane emphasised the importance of extending immunisation beyond childhood. He said, “The Goa Policy for Life-course Immunization 2026–2036 reflects our commitment to strengthening preventive healthcare, promoting healthy ageing and protecting adults who are particularly vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases. I believe this forward-looking approach presents an opportunity for Goa to demonstrate leadership in prevention-oriented healthcare and contribute valuable experience to the country.” The policy addresses vulnerabilities of adults living with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, kidney disease and cancer account for a substantial share of Goa’s disease burden, while individuals living with these conditions can face an increased risk of severe illness from vaccine-preventable infections. The first phase of implementation will focus on pneumococcal, influenza and hepatitis B vaccination for eligible adults. Beneficiaries will include people living with diabetes and chronic heart, lung, kidney or liver diseases, cancer, immunocompromised individuals, as well as healthcare and other frontline workers, in accordance with the policy's eligibility criteria. For this, specialist and NCD clinics at Goa Medical College and district hospitals will identify eligible patients and facilitate vaccination. The policy implementation framework will include centralised vaccine procurement and cold-chain capacity, digital tracking of vaccination coverage, and monitoring of adverse events following immunisation.     ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/114/28370/bits-pilani-goa-researchers-develop-pharmaceutical-polymer-based-bioink.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/114/28370/bits-pilani-goa-researchers-develop-pharmaceutical-polymer-based-bioink.html Tue, 25 Aug 2026 15:20:35 +0530 Researchers at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, K.K. Birla Goa Campus, have developed a pharmaceutical polymer-based hydrogel for 3D printing using extrusion-based method which has the potential to be used for skin tissue engineering and customised drug delivery. The study explores the use of pharmaceutical grade polymers, such as starch, maltodextrin and sodium alginate, to create hydrogels that display the desired properties needed to be 3D printed. The method could help to solve some of the issues with traditional bioinks: material variability, safety, high costs, and regulatory approvals. The researchers formulated a hydrogel designed to exhibit the flow and recovery properties necessary for extrusion-based 3D printing. The material demonstrated shear-thinning behaviour, enabling it to flow under the shear applied during printing and subsequently recover its structure after deposition. The study reported 87% thixotropic recovery, indicating its ability to retain the shape and structural integrity of the printed constructs. The researchers further demonstrated the versatility of the formulation by incorporating glimepiride into the hydrogel and using it to produce 3D-printed customised chewable tablets. While the findings are promising, the study represents a research-stage demonstration rather than a clinically approved treatment or commercially available 3D-printed medical product. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/114/28278/molbio-diagnostics-raises-rs-281-5-cr-from-anchor-investors-.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/114/28278/molbio-diagnostics-raises-rs-281-5-cr-from-anchor-investors-.html Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:42:23 +0530 Point-of-care diagnostics company Molbio Diagnostics has raised Rs 281.5 crore from anchor investors ahead of its initial public offering (IPO). The company, backed by Temasek and Motilal Oswal Private Equity, has allotted 34.87 lakh equity shares to 33 anchor investors at Rs 807 per equity share, the upper end of the price band, according to a circular uploaded on the BSE Website. Out of the total allocation of 34.87 Lakh Equity Shares to the Anchor Investors, 23.54 Lakh Equity Shares (i.e. 67.51% of the total allocation to Anchor Investors) were allocated to 9 domestic Mutual Funds applying through 19 schemes, while 2.65 Lakh Equity Shares (i.e. 7.62% of the total allocation to Anchor Investors) were allocated to 10 Life Insurance companies. The anchor book saw participation from marquee investors, including Goldman Sachs, BlackRock Global Funds, International Finance Corporation, HDFC MF, Mirae Asset, Nippon India Mutual Fund, ICICI Pru AMC, Kotak Mahindra AMC, Tata MF, Edelweiss MF, WhiteOak Capital, HDFC Life Insurance, and Bajaj Life Insurance, among others. The IPO of the Goa-based company will open for subscription on Monday, August 10, 2026, and close on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. It has fixed a price band of Rs 768 - 807 per equity share. At the upper end of the price band, the company aims to raise Rs 940 crore. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/114/27910/molbio-diagnostics-deploys-decentralised-molecular-testing-solution-amid-ongoing-ebola-outbreak.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/114/27910/molbio-diagnostics-deploys-decentralised-molecular-testing-solution-amid-ongoing-ebola-outbreak.html Thu, 04 Jun 2026 19:17:52 +0530 Goa-based Molbio  Diagnostics has developed a real-time PCR test capable of detecting Ebola disease caused by all three outbreak-associated viruses — Ebola virus, Sudan virus, and Bundibugyo virus. Designed for decentralised settings, the test runs on Molbio’s near-patient portable Truenat platform and delivers results in approximately one hour, enabling faster clinical decision-making and timely public health intervention.  The company is currently working closely with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and local authorities to validate the test on clinical specimens urgently. Initial deployment has commenced, and test kits have already reached affected regions in Uganda and the DRC. On 17 May, the WHO declared the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. As of 21 May, 746 suspected cases and 176 deaths among suspected cases had been reported in the DRC. On 22 May, Molbio Diagnostics participated in the emergency consultation convened by the World Health Organization and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), bringing together key stakeholders to accelerate the research, development, and deployment of decentralised diagnostic solutions to support outbreak response efforts. The consultation highlighted significant challenges arising from the limited availability of appropriate decentralised testing solutions for the disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/114/26727/goa-institute-of-management-initiates-national-project-to-improve-adult-vaccination-uptake-in-india.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/114/26727/goa-institute-of-management-initiates-national-project-to-improve-adult-vaccination-uptake-in-india.html Wed, 24 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0530 Goa Institute of Management (GIM) has launched a national project to improve Adult Vaccination (AV) uptake in India. This initiative marks a significant step toward safeguarding the health of its ageing and high-risk populations. Led by Prof. Ajay Vamadevan and Prof. Praveen Pradeep from GIM, the project brings together government agencies, research institutions, state health departments, and medical professional bodies, to identify evidence and regulatory gaps, and other provider and beneficiary level barriers that hinder the uptake of AV. Medical Research evidence shows that adults with chronic comorbid conditions - such as Cardiovascular diseases, Diabetes, Cancer, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease – as well as individuals who are immunocompromised or have received organ transplants, are at higher risk of severe illness from Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPDs) including Influenza, Pneumonia, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, B, Herpes Zoster). Furthermore, recognising variations in chronic disease burden and health system preparedness across states, the project prioritises vaccines for high-burden states such as Goa, Kerala, Punjab, and Delhi. This approach generates actionable insights on which vaccines and target groups should be prioritised first, thereby laying the foundation for a national roadmap. Highlighting the critical need for a coordinated national effort for AV, Professor Ajay Vamadevan of GIM, said, “Coverage of essential adult vaccines (influenza, pneumococcal, typhoid, hepatitis B) remains below 2% nationally. There is an urgent need to develop state-specific strategies for AV in India, given the wide variation in the chronic disease burden and ageing population across Indian states.” As a part of this AV initiative, GIM in collaboration with the Directorate of Health Services, Goa, hosted a National Consultation Workshop on Adult Vaccination Prioritization in India on 24th September 2025 at the International Centre, Panaji, Goa. National experts and representatives from Kerala, Punjab, Delhi and specialist doctors from Goa Medical College (GMC) and State Health Department have attended the workshop.   ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/114/26533/government-of-goa-to-implement-pricing-policy-for-innovative-lifesaving-therapies.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/114/26533/government-of-goa-to-implement-pricing-policy-for-innovative-lifesaving-therapies.html Wed, 13 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0530 In a progressive step toward making advanced, high-cost medical treatments more accessible, the Government of Goa is set to implement Pricing Policy for Innovative Lifesaving Therapies (PPILT). The policy aims to ensure fair and sustainable pricing for critical healthcare needs including medical devices, diagnostics, medicines etc, making them more affordable and within reach for all patients, especially those battling rare or complex diseases. The policy was announced at the CME event organised on the topic: AI’s use in diagnosing Lung Cancer Early in Goa. Goa will be the first state in India to adopt this policy framework, which enables confidential and outcome-linked pricing agreements between the government and pharmaceutical innovators. The rollout will begin with lung cancer treatment. This progressive approach allows the state to procure advanced therapies at significantly reduced costs, enabling many more patients to benefit from the existing public healthcare budget. “Innovative therapies for diseases like cancer, rare genetic disorders, and autoimmune conditions can cost upwards of Rs 50 lakh per year, placing them difficult for patients especially from underserved communities. Goa’s adoption of this pricing policy is vital and a timely step to advance health equity in the state.  A value-based approach to pricing will improve access for patients and marks a new era focusing on helping more and more patients”, said Vishwajit Rane, Health Minister of Goa. Since 2024, artificial intelligence (AI) has been embedded into Goa’s public healthcare system across 18 government hospitals and health centres, delivering measurable results at scale. Through Qure.ai’s qXR AI solution, more than 70,000 chest X-rays have been screened, detecting over 6,000 pulmonary nodules and flagging more than 500 individuals with high risk for lung cancer. This early detection has already led to confirmed lung cancer diagnoses and timely treatment, saving lives and reducing costs. The programme, led by the Government of Goa in partnership with Qure.ai and AstraZeneca, is a working example of how public and private sectors can combine technology and expertise to create systemic change and inform future health policy. By establishing a new age pricing framework, it encourages both global and Indian pharma organisation to introduce novel treatments in the state sustainable, backed by a predictable and collaborative procurement pathway. Proposed by Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI), an independent body representing research based global pharmaceutical companies in India, this critical policy is expected to strengthen Goa’s preparedness for future health challenges and ensure long-term resilience by integrating affordability, innovation, and public health priorities. ]]> https://biospectrumindia.com/news/114/25426/icmr-licenses-enviro-q-pcr-kit-to-molbio-diagnostics-for-enteric-virus-detection.html https://biospectrumindia.com/news/114/25426/icmr-licenses-enviro-q-pcr-kit-to-molbio-diagnostics-for-enteric-virus-detection.html Mon, 02 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0530 The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has signed a technology transfer agreement with Molbio Diagnostics., licensing the commercialisation of EnViro-Q, India’s first multiplex real-time RT-PCR assay for detecting enteric viruses. Developed by ICMR-National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections (NIRBI), Kolkata, this breakthrough diagnostic tool addresses a critical gap in managing viral gastroenteritis in children. Through this collaboration, Molbio Diagnostics aims to make EnViro-Q accessible worldwide, particularly in public health sectors, under a revenue-sharing model with ICMR. EnViro-Q will be made available at a cost-effective price, particularly for the public sector. As one of the leading causes of childhood mortality, viral gastroenteritis has posed persistent diagnostic challenges. Existing methods often misidentify viral infections as bacterial, leading to the irrational use of antibiotics. EnViro-Q, with comparable sensitivity and specificity to commercial imported assays, offers reliable results within 2-2.5 hours, ensuring timely diagnosis and treatment. By providing an effective method to detect co-infections and prevent repeated testing, EnViro-Q is poised to greatly enhance diagnostic capabilities in primary healthcare settings. ]]>