Doctors highlight the need to upgrade the facility from 350 beds to the full capacity of 500
There is a daily rush of patients at the South Goa district hospital.
Photo Credits: The Goan
MARGAO
Hazard a guess over the sanctioned bed strength of the government-run South Goa district hospital, which was commissioned three years ago?
Well, the officially sanctioned bed strength of the district hospital is pegged at 500. What about the existing hospital bed strength – around 350 beds to be precise, throwing up a question of whether the 350 beds are sufficient to cater to the requirements of patients at the district hospital?
No, not at all, say hospital healthcare workers. In fact, do not be surprised to come across instances wherein patients are accommodated on stretchers for want of beds in the district hospital, which was primarily built to cater to the growing requirements since Hospico could not accommodate all patients in the old building.
If the rush of 1500-odd patients to the OPDs and registration counters overwhelm the South district hospital almost every day, the bed strength has now come to haunt the hospital authorities.
In fact, a senior doctor said it is not uncommon to find over 350 patients admitted to the hospital on any given day. Speaking to 'The Goan', the doctor said the solution to the problem lies in implementing the sanctioned bed strength at the district hospital.
“We do not send the patients home for the want of beds. We somehow make arrangements, but the time has come for the government to fully utilise the sanctioned bed strength to meet the requirements of the next five years,” the doctor said.
He, however, hastened to add that an increase in hospital bed strength should have a corresponding increase in doctors, nurses and MTS workers to cater to the load.
Sources in the know informed that space is not an issue at the imposing five-storied hospital, with an official saying the facility was designed to cater to 500 patients. “Right now, the hospital has occupied three floors. Since the government is indecisive on how to go about utilising the space, the top two floors are being used for health-related activities,” the official said.
Given the dire need to implement the sanctioned bed strength, sources in the know say the government should now give up on the idea of utilising the top two floors of the hospital to house a private medical college or a nursing college. “When the district hospital is facing a bed crunch in 2024, just imagine the situation in the next 2-3 years. In the fitness of things, the entire building should be utilised for the purpose it was built," the doctor added.
Another doctor informed what Health Minister Vishwajit Rane remarked during his recent surprise visit to the district hospital is precisely what is required at the district hospital. “The Health Minister spoke about upgradation of the district hospital to make it a Centre of Excellence. Apart from adding cardiology, neurology and orthopaedic departments, the Health Minister spoke about the upgradation of the existing medical facilities. This is the ground reality,” he added.
