Latest news with #Kuttikar
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Goa doctor rejects health minister's ‘studio apology', says apologise at hospital
PANAJI: A senior doctor, who was pulled up by Goa health minister Vishwajit Rane at a government hospital last week, on Monday rejected a 'heartfelt apology' offered by the minister, insisting that the apology must be made at the hospital where he was humiliated in the first instance. 'I've seen the video. It is a studio apology. We, all the doctors, demand that the apology be given where the incident happened in front of the patients. As my humiliation went viral... I was humiliated, so I want everyone to know about the apology... within 24 hours,' Dr Rudresh Kuttikar, the casualty medical officer (CMO) at Goa Medical College and Hospital's (GMCH) said on Monday on the minister's expression of regret. Dr Kuttikar had drawn Rane's ire on Saturday for allegedly not administering a Vitamin B12 injection to the mother-in-law of a journalist. The doctor asked the woman to head to a primary health centre for the injection, following which the journalist called the minister. Rane humiliated the senior doctor in the emergency department, announced his suspension and told him to go home on Saturday. The suspension was reversed by chief minister Pramod Sawant the following day. Rane also acknowledged that his 'tone and tenor' were not correct and that his choice of words could have been 'more measured' but initially declined to apologised. On Monday morning, Rane followed up on his apology and said he 'deeply regret[s] the manner in which [he] addressed the situation'. 'I openly extended my heartfelt apology to Dr. Rudresh Kuttikar for the harsh words spoken by me during my visit to GMC. In the heat of the moment, my emotions overtook my expression, and I deeply regret the manner in which I addressed the situation. It was never my intention to undermine or disrespect the dignity of any medical professional,' Rane said. Dr Kuttikar justified his decision not to give the injection, saying that the casualty department of the state's premier institute was only following protocol to decline the request. The doctor explained that the patient should have gone to out patient departments or nearby primary health centres to get a Vitamin B12 injection, not the emergency department of the state's premier hospital. 'A Vitamin B12 injection is not an emergency injection, so they had to go to the OPDs or nearby PHCs… The Emergency Department of a tertiary hospital treats the highest level of emergencies for Goa, where only serious, critical patients have to be admitted. Nowadays, even minor cases are coming to the GMC emergency department. It is protocol that only serious cases have to be seen. A routine injection is never an emergency,' Dr Kuttikar said. Dr Kuttikar has received support from the Goa Association of Resident Doctors (GARD) and the Faculty Doctors Association which held a protest on Monday to back the demand for an apology from the minister. They said the protest would be escalated if a public apology wasn't forthcoming/ 'We demand firm assurance from the government that no healthcare professional will ever be subjected to such a degrading and arbitrary ordeal again. [We demand an] end of VIP culture in the clinical setting especially more so in the casualty department with a possible implementation of a policy where treatment in all areas, again emphasising especially in casualty, must be dictated by principles of triage and clinical urgency and not by the social or political status/affiliation of the patient,' GARD said in its memorandum. 'We have sworn an oath to serve patients, and we do so tirelessly. However, we cannot and will not stand by while the dignity of our profession is not trampled upon,' he added.
The Wire
3 days ago
- Health
- The Wire
Doctor Humiliated by Goa Health Minister Rejects His ‘Studio' Apology, Demands a Public One
New Delhi: Dr Rajesh Kuttikar, the casualty medical officer (CMO) of Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), who was last week humiliated by state's health minister Vishwajit Rane in a public and televised manner, has refused to accept his apology. Earlier this morning, June 9, Rane tendered an apology in an X post, saying, 'During the broadcast with Prudent Media last night, I openly extended my heartfelt apology to Dr. Rudresh Kuttikar for the harsh words spoken by me during my visit to GMC.' However, news channel In Goa 24X7 has reported that Dr Kuttikar has rejected the minister's apology as a 'studio apology', which was insufficient. Instead of apologising on the social media platform, Dr Kuttikar, reportedly demanded that Rane visit the same site at the hospital where he humiliated the doctor and apologise to him in front of the people. 'We require a public apology in the casualty [department] itself within 24 hours,' he said, while speaking to the press . He added that if the minister failed to do so, doctors would proceed on strike. Rane wrote a long post on X as part of his apology. 'In the heat of the moment, my emotions overtook my expression, and I deeply regret the manner in which I addressed the situation,' he said. 'It was never my intention to undermine or disrespect the dignity of any medical professional,' he added. During the broadcast with Prudent Media last night, I openly extended my heartfelt apology to Dr. Rudresh Kuttikar for the harsh words spoken by me during my visit to GMC. In the heat of the moment, my emotions overtook my expression, and I deeply regret the manner in which I… — Vishwajit Rane (@visrane) June 9, 2025 This was after he refused to apologise in a previous post on X. On June 7, Rane had made a surprise visit to the hospital. He went there for inspection after a patient who needed Vitamin B-12 shot apparently went to the casualty department and was allegedly refused. The casualty ward is usually restricted for emergency services and regular services are offered by other departments. Rane was accompanied by cameras when he stormed inside the casualty ward and enquired where the CMO, Kuttikar, was. He lashed out at Kuttikar saying he should 'learn to control your tongue'. 'Put your hands out [of the pocket] when you are standing in front of me and remove your mask while I'm speaking to you,' the minister told the doctor. He mocked him saying that a doctor must learn to behave himself. As the doctor tried to offer an explanation, Rane shut him off. He ordered the medical superintendent to suspend Kuttikar immediately. The whole fiasco quickly took shape into a full-blown battle between the doctors and the government, with Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant stepping in on June 8 to say that Kuttikar would not be suspended. 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. The State Government and our dedicated medical team remain fully committed to ensuring the highest… — Dr. Pramod Sawant (@DrPramodPSawant) June 8, 2025 However, the matter did not rest there. On June 8, the Goa Association of Resident Doctors (GARD) issued an ultimatum to the government saying if the health minister failed to apologise in the next 48 hours, they would proceed on a strike. They also demanded that the 'VIP culture' must end, especially in the emergency department where 'treatment must be dictated by principles of triage [prioritising patients according to the medical needs] and clinical urgency and not by social or political status/affiliation of the patient'. Kuttikar became the target of Rane's barrage of harsh remarks because he refused to administer Vitamin B-12 shot in the emergency services department. BREAKING: Resident doctors of Goa have given a 48 hour ultimatum to the Health Minister, otherwise GARD will go on indefinite strike! Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane tried to give a political masterclass at Goa Medical College (GMC) yesterday following the 2 Rs toolkit for… — Dr. Datta M.D. (AIIMS Delhi) (@DrDatta_AIIMS) June 8, 2025 Although GARD hasn't shared its decision about the impending strike, with Kuttikar reportedly rejecting the minister's apology, it is likely that the doctors would go on with their strike and shut down the routine services. Meanwhile, emergency care would continue – as is the case with any mass protest of doctors. The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
