Dhargalim’s Ayurveda institute sees high patient turnout, expands services

Panaji: The 22 outpatient departments (OPD) at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) at Dhargalim see a daily footfall of more than 800 patients, said dean Dr Sujata Kadam.

Since the institute’s inauguration in 2022, it has catered to 4.5 lakh people at the OPD level, she said, while speaking to reporters on Monday ahead of Ayurveda Day. Most of those who frequent the hospital are people with diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, and other conditions, she said. She added that patients came from neighbouring states as well as other countries to avail themselves of services at the hospital, which has a capacity of 250 beds. Currently, 100 beds are functional.

Work on five modular operation theatres is under way, and once completed after two to three months, these will permit surgeries to be carried out at the institute, she said.

At the integrated set-up, surgeries like cataract, hernia, ENT surgeries, laparoscopy, etc. will be carried out where there is co-location of doctors with allopathic surgeons also visiting the hospital. The integrated oncology unit at the hospital will be inaugurated on Tuesday, she said. A tripartite agreement has been signed between Goa govt and Tata Cancer Institute, where doctors from GMC, Tata Institute, and the Ayurvedic Institute will come together to discuss the kind of treatment that can be provided to the patient.

Making an OPD card is only Rs 10, she said, adding that services and procedures at the hospital are subsidised and medication is free.

Dr Pradeep Kumar Prajapati, director, AIIA, Goa, said an integrated oncology unit, central sterile supply department, linen processing unit, and blood bank are being inaugurated, which will strengthen the bridge between Ayurveda and modern medicine.

The AIIA, established in 2022 by the Prime Minister as a premier centre for Ayurvedic education, research, and healthcare, has been designated as the nodal agency for hosting the national celebrations of the 10th Ayurveda Day this year.

The institute also promoted medical value travel and health tourism in collaboration with the Goa tourism department.