MARGAO: The New South Goa District Hospital, Margao, which was part-commissioned with 26 Out Patient Departments (OPDs) on Monday, received 117 patients on the first day.
The patients, who visited the hospital for follow up treatment, were welcomed to a spacious foyer area and lounge.
Twenty-six OPDs including the COVID-19 OPD have been shifted to the new district hospital.
A COVID-19 testing lab, swab collection centre and Flu OPD away from the main OPDs have been set up to cater to the various people visiting the State for treatment.
Hospicio Medical Superintendent Dr Ira Almeida, who has been overseeing the entire shifting of these OPDs said, “We have shifted the OPDs and have spaced them as we do not want to be amplifiers of coronavirus. There are ambulances kept at regular intervals during the day, which will take patients to Hospicio or ferry them from there if the new facility lacks any service”.
On COVID-related facilities at the new Hospital, Almeida said, “As per the Government directives a flu OPD, a COVID-19 testing lab and a swab collection centre have been set up. The facility received its first lot of 44 persons, who came in a bus from Bangalore. The staff collected the samples and they were further sent on their onward journey”.
The registration counter was functioning efficiently and the patients were all smiles as doctors doubled up to make sure the patients reached their OPDs.
Additional chairs were also placed at the new facility by noon. However, the programming and token system for the patients will take some time, the work for which is currently underway.
Opposition Leader Digambar Kamat said he is really happy to see his dream project turning into reality after almost 10 years with the Out Patient Department (OPD) of New South Goa District Hospital becoming operational from Monday.
“I am feeling blessed today with patients, doctors and healthcare workers making a symbolic inauguration of this prime healthcare facility, which started during the Congress Government under my tenure as the Chief Minister. My vision of building this complex was to provide the best healthcare facility to the people of Goa, more particularly from the South, who had to travel all the way to the Goa Medical College and Hospital at Bambolim,” he said.
“I urge Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant and Health Minister Vishwajit Rane to ensure that the entire hospital is made fully operational at the earliest to provide the much-needed healthcare facilities to the people of Goa,” he added.
Veejay Facility Management, the workforce supplier, has employed multi-tasking staff for the overall functioning, cleaning and coordination. Besides, plumbers, electricians, supervisors and volunteers are also part of the team.
