Goa Hospitals Overwhelmed: Patients Sent to GMC

Goa's district hospitals are straining under the load, with an estimated 12,000 serious cases, including accidents, cardiac events, and brain strokes, being referred to the Goa Medical College (GMC) each year. The North Goa district hospital faces critical shortages, lacking intensive care units (ICCU/CCU/HDU/PICU) and essential super-specialities such as neurology, cardiology, and neurosurgery. Its CT scanner has been non-functional since March 2024, further complicating patient care and necessitating referrals.

The South Goa district hospital also experiences a high volume of referrals, particularly for cardiology, neurology, and nephrology consultations. Patients requiring emergency dialysis, advanced cardiac interventions like coronary angiography, or specialized care for conditions like STEMI and poisoning are frequently sent to GMC. Similarly, pediatric patients needing PICU care, advanced neonatal support, or specialized investigations like MRI are referred to the tertiary care facility.

Efforts are underway to mitigate these referral burdens. The South Goa district hospital's ICU became operational in May 2024, and construction of a Level II trauma care unit is in progress, expected to significantly reduce transfers for accident and trauma cases. The hospital is also addressing staff shortages, with new doctors joining and more support staff expected to manage its high daily patient intake.