Goa medical college to introduce online OPD appointments from next week

The Goa government will begin online appointment booking for outpatient department (OPD) visits at Goa Medical College (GMC) from next week, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane announced, in a move aimed at improving public healthcare access and patient experience . The initiative will initially cover key departments, including medicine, surgery, dermatology (skin), ENT and orthopaedics .

Officials say the online system is expected to streamline patient appointments , reduce long queues and waiting times , and enable better crowd management at the state’s largest hospital, particularly benefiting those travelling from distant parts of Goa who can now secure appointments in advance. Traditional walk-in registration will continue to be available for patients who prefer it.

Describing the launch as another step towards reinforcing the “Goa model” of healthcare, Rane said the focus remains on accessibility, efficiency and compassion in service delivery. “The objective is to simplify systems so that quality healthcare reaches people faster, with dignity and ease,” he said, noting that the initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a citizen-centric, technology-enabled healthcare ecosystem.

The implementation of the online booking system is being closely monitored by Pranab Bhat, Joint Secretary (Health) , with technical teams tasked with monitoring the platform and addressing any initial glitches . This digitisation drive is part of a broader effort to modernise healthcare services and make them more user-friendly and accessible to the public.

Health infrastructure improvements in the state also include recent administrative decisions aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery. The state cabinet has approved 97 contractual appointments at Tuem Hospital, including consultants, nurses and support staff, to enhance service capacity, and has cleared a 100-point roster system for postgraduate (PG) seat reservations at GMC, designed to streamline admissions and improve transparency.

Together, these reforms reflect a broader commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure — from digital booking tools and workforce enhancements to more transparent medical education policies — with the goal of creating a healthcare system that works for the people in a timely, accessible, and trusted manner.