South Goa District Hospital is considering a temporary relocation of its nursing college to address critical space shortages for patients. The college, which has occupied the hospital’s fourth floor since last year as an interim measure, may move to the abandoned Hospicio building in Margao, hospital officials confirmed.
This adjustment would free up the entire floor for inpatient care, helping to relieve congestion as some patients are currently treated on stretchers or in wheelchairs.
The Hospicio site, now home to a pediatric palliative care unit, has sections in poor condition, raising concerns about its suitability. Despite this, the hospital has already begun providing reclining chairs for patients who cannot be accommodated on beds, though officials emphasize this remains a temporary fix.
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Dr. Rajendra Borkar, the medical superintendent of South Goa District Hospital, explained that admissions frequently spike during the monsoon and its aftermath, driven by seasonal respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses. Current occupancy hovers near capacity at roughly 80%, leaving minimal room for new cases.
The hospital’s ability to handle overflow is severely limited. Sending patients to Goa Medical College in Bambolim risks further overburdening that facility, while discharging unstable patients is often unsafe. Many arrivals come from primary health centers where conditions cannot be stabilized before transfer.
Seasonal fluctuations exacerbate the strain, as viral and gastrointestinal cases surge during transitional periods. Borkar stated that the only viable alternatives, directing more patients to Goa Medical College or releasing unstable individuals, are unworkable under existing conditions.
