​​Goa Government Holds Doctor's Suspension - What the GMCH Controversy Is All About

Panaji: Amid backlash from the medical fraternity and opposition parties, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday said that the chief medical officer of the government medical college and hospital, who was accused of misbehaving with patients, will not be suspended.

Earlier on Saturday, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane defended his decision to order suspension of Dr Rudresh Kuttikar, the chief medical officer of Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), citing the latter's "arrogant behaviour" towards a patient.

The Goa branch of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) condemned the minister's action and urged the authorities to immediately rescind the suspension and reinstate the doctor while ensuring a fair trial.

The opposition parties, including the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party and Revolutionary Goans Party, had condemned Rane's behaviour.

Government sources told PTI that the chief minister invited Rane for a meeting on the issue in Panaji on Sunday, and after the meeting, a statement was issued that the doctor would not be suspended pending a fair inquiry.

Taking to X, Chief Minister Sawant said, "I have reviewed the issue at the Goa Medical College and held discussions with the health minister. I want to assure the people of Goa that Dr Rudresh Kuttikar will not be suspended."

He said the state government and its dedicated medical team remain fully committed to ensuring the highest standards of healthcare for every citizen.

"We also appreciate the tireless efforts and invaluable service of our doctors, who continue to save lives," Sawant added.

The health minister on Saturday said he will not apologise for standing up for a patient who was denied care.

Rane said he took the action after receiving a complaint from a senior journalist that the doctor in the casualty ward of the GMCH had mistreated his mother-in-law.

The GMCH at Bambolim is a state-run hospital with more than 1,000 beds. It provides medical services to patients from Goa as well as from nearby areas of Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Dr Rudresh Kurtikar was fired in public view and later ordered to be suspended by Rane after he "lost his cool" during his surprise visit to the hospital on Saturday.

Talking to reporters on Saturday evening, Rane said, "Yes, as the health minister, I did intervene, and I accept that my tone and words could have been more measured. I am not above reflection or criticism. I take full responsibility for how I communicated, and I assure you that such an approach will not be repeated."

"However, what I will not apologise for is standing up for a patient who was denied care," the minister said.

Doctors hold a noble position in society, and most of them at the GMCH serve with great dedication, he noted.

"But when arrogance seeps into duty and compassion is replaced with indifference, it is my responsibility to take action," Rane said.

The minister was reacting to criticism he faced on social media and from the IMA for firing the CMO on duty.

"Over the last few hours, a lot has been said and written about an incident at the Goa Medical College today and the suspension of a doctor on duty. I feel it is important to address this directly, not just as your health minister, but as someone deeply committed to ensuring that no citizen is ever denied basic medical care, especially the elderly who deserve our utmost respect and attention," he said.

Rane said he had received a message from a family member of a senior citizen, who was already in pain and advised to receive daily injections, about how she was refused the same at the medical college's casualty ward on a public holiday.

"What made the matter worse was that the casualty (ward) had minimal patient load at the time, and yet, a simple act of compassion and care was withheld. I found this deeply upsetting," he said.

Rane said that often, the outrage is highlighted on some media platforms and by the public when things go wrong at the GMCH.

But when corrective action is taken, it is equally important that "we support efforts to fix the system, not tear them down," he commented.

The minister said what he did was in defence of a helpless, elderly woman.

"And I will continue to speak up, act and fight for the rights of every patient who walks into our hospital," he asserted.

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