PANAJI
Even as Goa Medical College (GMC) and Hospital began online registrations of outpatient department (OPD), the existing offline system will continue simultaneously to ensure that no patient is excluded.
The online OPD booking facility, which came into force on February 4, recorded 181 registrations on the first day and a cumulative total of 388 online registrations by the end of the second day (Thursday). During the same period, 236 patients registered through the walk-in (offline) system, taking the total number of registrations to 624.
“Till 5.45 pm on Thursday, 388 self-registrations (online) were recorded and 236 walk-in registrations (offline), totalling 624,” Medical Superintendent of GMC, Dr Rajesh Patil, told The Goan.
Dr Patil said that online slots are open for booking up to seven days in advance, giving patients flexibility in choosing the date and time. “Booking for any given day will close at 5 pm on the preceding day,” he said.
The government has already stated that any online slots that are still available at the end of the day will not lapse. “Vacant online slots will be added to the offline quota on the subsequent day and will be available to the public through the regular queue system,” he said.
The Medical Superintendent further informed that each OPD functions in three time slots daily -- from 10 am to 11 am, 11 am to 12 noon, and 12 noon to 1 pm. “Each slot accommodates 33 patients, though the actual consultation time may vary depending on the line of treatment. While some patients may spill over into subsequent time slots, no patient is left without being examined,” he said.
On a trial basis, 100 OPD slots per day have been earmarked for online booking in the General Medicine, General Surgery, ENT, Orthopaedics and Dermatology departments.
“The online OPD booking facility has definitely reduced long queues, as seen over the last two days since its launch. There is growing awareness among people to shift from physically visiting GMC for appointments to using the online system. Patients no longer need to arrive early in the morning and stand in queues, as registrations begin only at 8 am,” Dr Patil said, reiterating that the offline system remains operational for those who prefer walk-in registrations.
The GMC is also considering expanding the system to other departments in a phased manner, depending on public feedback.
Explaining the registration process, Dr Patil said patients must register through a mobile-based OTP system and enter basic personal details. “Patient details can also be fetched from the ABHA card database or the Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana (DDSSY) database. New patients opting for online appointments will be required to pay a one-time registration fee of Rs 100 for Indian nationals and Rs 250 for foreign nationals,” he said.
Upon successful booking, the system generates a confirmation slip, which patients must produce at the concerned OPD. Patients are advised to report at least 30 minutes before the allotted slot to ensure smooth processing.
The registration will remain valid for two years, irrespective of the number of OPD appointments booked during that period.
