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South Goa Hospital Overwhelmed: Patients on Stretchers Again
5 Oct
Summary
- South Goa District Hospital faces patient overcrowding, similar to the old Hospicio.
- Despite increased bed capacity, patients are treated on stretchers and wheelchairs.
- Significant staff vacancies contribute to the strain on hospital resources.
The South Goa District Hospital (SGDH), envisioned to end patient woes, is now facing significant overcrowding. Five years post-opening, it experiences a situation similar to the old Hospicio, with patients needing beds being treated on stretchers and wheelchairs. This occurred despite the hospital's sanctioned bed strength being increased from 350 to 500 in August 2025.
Health minister Vishwajit Rane acknowledged the pressure, noting the need for additional beds in medicine wards and admitting that admissions sometimes exceed capacity. To alleviate the immediate strain, the administration is providing reclining chairs and considering relocating the nursing college. Medical superintendent Dr. Rajendra Borkar attributed the surge to seasonal viral and gastro-intestinal cases, expecting relief soon.
Compounding the problem are critical staff shortages. Out of 643 sanctioned posts, 193 remain vacant, including numerous nurse and surgeon positions. This mirrors historical challenges, with the old Hospicio also struggling with overcapacity and inadequate facilities in 2012. The current situation highlights persistent issues of insufficient staff and space despite the larger bed count.
