Margao: As is expected with any new project, the South Goa district hospital too is facing teething problems but the main aim behind starting the OPD services at the hospital, which was to help maintain distancing, seems to be working. Additionally, a facility for testing for COVID-19 has also been set up.

On the second day of the hospital opening to the public for outpatient department (OPD) services on Tuesday, the heat was one of the major problems before not only the patients but doctors, nurses and hospital staff as well, as they relied only on the fans to beat the heat. Speaking to this daily, the hospital’s medical superintendent Dr Ira Almeida said that the main aim behind opening the hospital however has been fulfilled.

“There have been a few teething problems but our main aim of maintaining social distancing seems to be fulfilled. Hospicio is small and could not handle the patient numbers while maintaining social distancing norms which is why we were insistent on starting the district hospital for OPD at least. The district hospital is spacious and gives us enough area to separate patients while they wait for their turn,” she said. 

Another problem that the mostly low-income patients face is that of the distance they have to travel to reach the hospital. Many are forced to walk the distance from the KTC bus stand to the hospital, which in the current heat conditions are tiresome. Work is also going on in parts of the hospital which is barricaded away from the public and the OPDs. 

The plan of maintaining distancing does seem to have worked as is seen at the paediatric ward. Patients coming to the hospital for a general consultation are seen at one area of the OPD while those coming for immunisation purposes are taken to another area far from the consultation area.

Meanwhile, the hospital has also added to the state’s COVID-19 testing facilities with a testing unit set up there. Since the beginning of the testing facility on Monday, staff members receive an average of 100 swabs for testing of COVID-19.

The hospital has a separate entrance for people who are being brought for COVID-19 testing. The samples are taken using specially-designed box which aims to protect doctors and staff from the risk of infection while obtaining and examining the patient. It comprises of a transparent acrylic sheet with two openings for gloves through which the medical personnel examines and takes the samples for testing.

Those with travel permits wanting to exit the state are also being provided with health certificates after being examined. As for those entering the state, they are brought with the assistance of the police on a bus to the facility where the samples are obtained and are then taken to quarantine centres. If tested negative, the patient is sent home for a 14-day quarantine.

“This system is in place with the help of the police and the local administration. Once they are tested negative, we will continue to keep them under surveillance for the 14-day period. We are keeping an eye out on any possibility of hotspot also,” said Dr Almeida.