NT Reporter
Margao
The South Goa District Hospital (SGDH) is currently operating at maximum capacity as a seasonal surge in respiratory, gastrointestinal and vector-borne illnesses has led to the outpatient department (OPD) visits touching 1,500 per day.
With all 500 functional beds occupied, the incoming patients are temporarily being managed on trolleys and wheelchairs in ward hallways. Healthcare providers at the facility said that they are stretching their resources to ensure no one seeking treatment is turned away.
The situation was addressed publicly by SGDH Medical Superintendent Dr Rajendra Borkar following concerns raised by Youth Congress office bearers regarding patient overcrowding in hallways.
“The hospital is at its fullest capacity with all 500 beds functional, and it is true that during the monsoon season we require additional beds,” Dr Borkar said. “Dengue cases are on the rise due to multiple factors. Intermittent rainfall creates ideal conditions for mosquito breeding. Although the wards are full, we still need to accommodate the incoming patients,” he said.
Faced with the dilemma of either transferring individuals to Goa Medical College (GMC), which is experiencing a similar patient load, or sending them home, hospital authorities chose a pragmatic middle ground.
“We do not resort to either of those options,” said Dr Borkar. “We cannot send patients away, so the only remaining alternative is to admit them however possible until treatment begins.”
“This is why a few patients are temporarily placed on trolleys and wheelchairs. Generally, by 2 pm, after the initial diagnoses and treatments are completed, existing patients are discharged, freeing up beds for those waiting.”
As the sole major government healthcare facility in the South Goa district, SGDH continues to handle the heavy influx of monsoon-related ailments. Dr Borkar said that the high OPD numbers reflect the community’s reliance on the institution and the staff’s dedication to delivering care despite space constraints.
Addressing the vector-borne threat specifically, Dr Borkar said that while dengue cases are increasing, they remain widespread rather than concentrated in a single outbreak cluster. Preventive measures are being deployed regularly, but he urged public cooperation to control the situation. He said that community members must maintain clean surroundings and prevent stagnant water accumulation in and around their homes.
