Team Herald
PANJIM: The sudden surge in COVID-19 cases has compelled the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC) to once again introduce appointment-based consultation for Outpatient Departments (OPDs).
Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Wednesday chaired a meeting with all the HODs of GMC to review COVID protocols and management at the State-run facility in view of the rising coronavirus cases.
Speaking to media persons post meeting, Rane said collectively it has decided to resume the telephone service for booking Outpatient Departments appointments at GMC.
The State-run medical facility had initially introduced appointment-based Outpatient Departments service in May, last year in view of COVID pandemic. The service was subsequently discontinued in October, 2020, after the number of positive cases reduced drastically.
Rane said during the meeting it was also decided to put up pandals outside the facility for seamless management of out-patients.
“The number of patients’ relatives will also be restricted in view of the rising cases,” he said.
GMC also caters to patients from neighbouring districts of Karnataka and Maharashtra, comprising of total 30-35 per cent patients.
The minister said the strict implementation of SOPs will be taken up at GMC, where COVID care facility is already overloaded.
Meanwhile, as decided during the State Disaster Management meeting on Tuesday, the Health Department has initiated process to set up 150-bedded COVID care centre at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee stadium, which will be put to use from Friday.
The government has also decided to re-notify ESI Hospital, Margao and Fatorda Stadium as COVID care centres to quarantine the patients.
