Controversy Erupts Over Minister’s Public Suspension of CMO; Sawant Steps In to De-escalate
Panaji: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday intervened in an escalating controversy, overruling Health Minister Vishwajit Rane’s order to suspend a senior doctor at Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). The move came hours after Rane had ordered the suspension of Dr. Rudresh Kuttikar, the hospital’s Chief Medical Officer, citing “arrogant behaviour” towards a patient.
“I have reviewed the issue at 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,”
— CM Pramod Sawant posted on X (formerly Twitter)
Minister’s Surprise Visit Sparks Action
The controversy began on Saturday, when Minister Rane paid a surprise visit to GMCH’s casualty ward and publicly rebuked and suspended Dr. Kuttikar. The minister alleged that the doctor denied medical attention to an elderly woman, the mother-in-law of a senior journalist, on a public holiday.
The woman was reportedly advised to receive daily injections for her condition but was turned away, prompting her family to escalate the complaint to the health minister.
Rane Defends His Action, But Accepts Criticism
Facing backlash from the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and social media users, Rane stood by his action but admitted that his communication could have been more measured.
“Yes, as the Health Minister, I did intervene… I take full responsibility for how I communicated and assure you such an approach will not be repeated,”
— Vishwajit Rane, Health Minister
Rane also clarified he would not apologise for defending the rights of a patient allegedly denied proper care.
Hospital at the Heart of the Storm
Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), located in Bambolim, is the state’s largest government-run medical facility with over 1,000 beds. It caters to patients from Goa and neighbouring states like Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Political Optics and Medical Protocols Collide
CM Sawant’s intervention is being seen as an attempt to maintain equilibrium between ministerial accountability and medical administrative protocols. The decision has helped calm growing unrest within the medical community, which had raised concerns over public humiliation and due process violations in the suspension.
As of now, Dr. Kuttikar remains in service, and further internal reviews are likely to follow to address the larger issue of hospital grievance redressal mechanisms.
