MARGAO: All Out Patient Department (OPDs) at Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) hospital, Margao will resume once again for ESI beneficiaries from July 1 as all the COVID-19 positive patients are discharged, informed Medical Superintendent of ESI Dr Vishwajit Faldesai.
OPDs were shut down due to the government decision of declaring ESI as one of the COVID hospitals.
Dr Vishwajit said that the hospital will re-open all the OPDs and other medical services offered to ESI beneficiaries.
It may be recalled that the ESI was the first COVID hospital since the surge of virus in the State. After successfully treating the COVID patients at the time of the first wave, ESI had to face tough times to handle the second wave of COVID-19.
ESI hospital has treated more than 2000 positive cases in this second wave and had a 93 per cent recovery. The hospital has reported nearly 21 COVID deaths, which is less than 1.3 per cent.
Speaking to the media Dr Faldesai said that the entire hospital was taken over by the government for the treatment of COVID-19 positive patients.
“Dr Edwin Gomes was here to look after the treatment facilities to the patients. At the time of the first wave of COVID-19, ESI treated several patients. Nearly 900 medical staff worked here in this pandemic period. We have also treated the UK returnees COVID patients”, he stated.
He informed that on June 28 all the remaining positive patients were treated and discharged. All floors were utilised for the COVID-19 treatment.
“Now, we have decided to open the OPDs, besides will focus on vaccinations. We are planning to start vaccination in the hospital for the patients having ESI insurance. One OPD and suspect ward will be reserved for the COVID-19 patients. All normal casualties will run regularly “, Dr Faldesai further stated.
He admitted that ESI beneficiaries had to face a problem due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
