Goa, Sept. 18 -- MARCOS GONSALVES

Goa's growing bur den of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, cancer and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is emerging not only as a public health concern but also as a patient-safety challenge, with doctors warning that the risks do not end with diagnosis and treatment. As World Patient Safety Day is observed on September 17 with the theme "Safe care for non-communicable diseases", healthcare professionals have stressed that patients living with chronic conditions require accu rate diagnosis, appropriate med ication, clear medical records and uninterrupted follow-up over the years - not just episod ic care when complications arise. The concern assumes great er significance as NCD patients often m...