MARGAO
From chairs and wheelchairs to stretchers and even the floor, patients were accommodated in whatever space was available at Hospicio South Goa District Hospital on Friday evening as a sudden rush of patients overwhelmed the hospital’s existing bed capacity.
With all available beds occupied, doctors and paramedical staff, including nurses, faced an increased workload as they attended to patients admitted to the wards as well as those accommodated on stretchers, wheelchairs and chairs.
This is not the first time the hospital has faced a shortage of beds. A rise in flu and respiratory cases has led to a rush of patients, forcing the hospital administration to accommodate them on wheelchairs, chairs and stretchers. The situation prompted the hospital administration to procure chairs with armrests to ensure that patients could at least rest their arms while receiving treatment.
While the situation may be described as a system failure, hospital officials have expressed helplessness, pointing out that the facility cannot turn away patients simply because beds are unavailable.
Doctors said they ensure that every patient approaching the hospital receives treatment. “Where would these patients go if we do not give them entry?” a doctor asked, explaining that patients are therefore accommodated on wheelchairs, chairs, stretchers and, when necessary, even on the floor.
Patients, meanwhile, said they preferred seeking treatment at Hospicio despite the lack of proper bed accommodation because they cannot afford treatment at private hospitals.
One patient urged the government to intervene and explore the possibility of increasing the hospital’s bed capacity to meet the needs of the general public. “We are told that Hospicio hospital is functioning at its full capacity. If that is the case, the government should explore the possibility of increasing the bed capacity and providing corresponding manpower to the hospital,” he said.
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