GMC Satellite OPDs Experience Surge in Patients Across Four Locations

Panaji: The satellite outpatient departments (OPD) at Valpoi, Dharbandora, Usgao, and Chicalim, which permit people to consult with GMC specialists closer to home, have been seeing a high footfall. The health department discontinued satellite OPDs at Pernem and Casarvane, citing low footfall.
The Valpoi satellite OPD, launched in June 2022 to enhance specialist healthcare accessibility to the residents of Valpoi and surrounding areas, saw more than 1.54 lakh persons benefit from the specialist consultations by March this year. These include surgery, orthopaedic, paediatric, gynaecology, medicine, general, ENT, and patients requiring sonography. Specialist consultations are provided on Wednesdays and Fridays at the community health centre in Valpoi.
“General OPDs see the highest numbers, followed by orthopaedic, surgery, and gynaecology services. There is also demand for sonography and ENT services,” a health official said. At the Valpoi satellite OPD, which sees a turnout of 650 persons each day, minor surgical and orthopaedic procedures are also being performed locally by specialist surgeons and orthopaedic doctors from GMC. “These procedures help reduce patient referrals to the GMC and allow faster treatment, shorter recovery time, and significant savings,” the official said.
Satellite OPDs at Dharbandora, Usgao, and Chicalim, started more recently, are slowly picking up too. At the Chicalim OPD, held twice a month starting from Jan, the number of people turning up to avail of minor surgeries, orthopaedic, medicine OPD, and dental procedures is also increasing. At Dharbandora, the satellite OPD is held once a month on the third Thursday, and at Usgao, once a week on the first Thursday.