PANAJI
In a move aimed at streamlining patient services, the State government has expanded the online OPD booking facility at Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC), making eight additional departments available for online appointments with effect from Tuesday.
According to a notification issued by the Office of the Joint Secretary (Health), the online booking system, which was initially introduced on a trial basis for five departments from February 4, will now cover Paediatrics, Ophthalmology, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Neurology, Medical Oncology, Cardiology, Cardiology-Paediatric, and Urology.
As per the notification, 100 OPD slots per day will be made available to the general public in each of the newly added departments, except for Neurology and Medical Oncology, where 50 slots per day will be provided.
The government stated that members of the public can avail of the online OPD booking facility through the official GMC website. It clarified that booking an online slot will ensure services at the concerned OPD based on the availability of doctors on the selected date.
However, the facility for doctor-specific appointments is yet to be introduced under the current system.
Officials said the expansion of the online OPD booking facility is part of efforts to improve patient convenience, reduce waiting time at hospital counters, and enhance transparency in the appointment process.
