Goa Medical College Sees Spike in Non-COVID Admissions

Goa had experienced the severe impact of the COVID second wave during the month of April and May 2021. It was around this time that there was a serious shortage of available beds in the state. However, now that the number of COVID cases has seen a decline in the country, the shortage of hospital beds and resources is due to non-COVID related cases.

The condition is so dire that the hospital authorities have resorted to accommodating patients on stretchers.

The Dean of Goa Medical College, DR. S M Bandekar spoke to media persons from the Times of India about the critical condition of GMC during these times and explained how when regular OPDs were shut, most wards were converted into Covid wards, and non-Covid patients were unable to visit their doctors for follow-ups. Also, people who got sick then were compelled to avoid the hospital.

All this has now added up, and the tertiary care hospital is seeing more than 200 admissions daily, which is far higher than the average numbers.

"The sudden increase has been seen (mainly) in patients having lifestyle-related diseases, and they are presenting in a critical state," said Bandekar. "People are likely to have ignored their regular diet and other routines during the lockdown. It has all manifested into their ill health, and suddenly we are seeing a rush of patients. That's what we feel."

At the current rate of increase of cases, there is a risk of the medical fraternity yet again finding itself understaffed and overworked. There is immense pressure among doctors at GMC to cater to the sudden spike in cases.