The citizens of Margao have reportedly united in their call for a high-level committee to investigate patient referrals from the South Goa District Hospital (SGDH) to the Goa Medical College Hospital (GMCH) at Bambolim as also private hospitals. It is learnt that as per statistics a total of 17, 425 referrals were made in the last four years with an additional 2,389 referrals occurring between January and June of this year only. This has led to SGDH being labelled as a referral hospital. It is pertinent to note that the district hospital was supposed to reduce the burden on the GMC hospital by catering to the health needs of citizens in South Goa. But by referring the patients to GMC hospital, it is only increasing the number of patients at the institution. Patients may be taking treatment at government hospitals as they cannot afford the high cost in private hospitals. It is pertinent to note that terminally ill patients are also referred to GMC. The government has admitted that SGDH cannot remain a district hospital and has to be declared as a tertiary hospital. The earlier this happens the better for Goans.
