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Goa CM Assures No Suspension Of Doctor After Health Minister's Video Berating Him Sparks Row
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In a video, Rane was seen losing his cool and berating Dr Rudresh Kuttikar during his surprise visit to the hospital after reportedly receiving a complaint against the latter.
Amid the row Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane reprimanding the chief medical officer (CMO) of Goa Medical College and Hospital and ordering his suspension, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday assured that the senior doctor would not be suspended.
What's The Row?
In a now viral video, Rane was seen losing his cool and berating Dr Rudresh Kuttikar during his surprise visit to the hospital yesterday after reportedly receiving a complaint against the latter.
Dr Kurtikar was fired publicly and was later suspended on Rane's orders.
The minister's actions to fire the on-duty CMO had drawn criticism and outrage from the netizens and Indian Medical Association.
CM Sawant Assures No Suspension
Sawant said he reviewed the issue and discussed it with Rane. In a post on X, he said, '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."
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 State Government and our dedicated medical team remain fully committed to ensuring the highest…
— Dr. Pramod Sawant (@DrPramodPSawant) June 8, 2025
Meanwhile, the minister defended his decision citing 'arrogant behaviour" by the official towards a patient. He refused to apologise for losing his cool, stating that he stood up for a patient who was denied care.
'You are here to serve humanity, not your ego, behave properly with patients," Rane told the doctor. Speaking to the media later in the evening, he said that his tone and words 'could have been more measured."
'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 such an approach will not be repeated. However, what I will not apologise for is standing up for a patient who was denied care," he said.
He noted that doctors hold a noble position in society and most of them at the hospital serve with dedication, 'but when arrogance seeps into duty, when compassion is replaced with indifference, it is my responsibility to take action."
First Published:
June 08, 2025, 19:08 IST
