Health Minister Vishwajit Rane reprimanded the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Goa Medical College and Hospital on Saturday and ordered his immediate suspension for alleged ‘abuse’ with a patient.
The incident occurred when the minister visited the hospital for an inspection and CMO Dr. Rudresh received a complaint against Kurtikar for allegedly abused a patient, who visited the hospital with a relative to get an injection.
Talking about the incident, an official said that a patient had come to the ward for B12 vitamin injection.
The official said, “The doctor asked the patient to go to the OPD (outpatient department) or a ward or a nearby primary health center for injection, as the casualties are only for emergency patients,” the official said.
In an alleged video, Rain can be seen interrogating a storm in a hospital ward and an employee about the CMO’s whereabouts.
Rain then pulled the senior doctor saying: “You learn to control your tongue. You are a doctor. Don’t force me to work. When you stand in front of me, take out your hands.
“These doctors do not understand. Unless you understand … you are here to serve humanity. You are not here with your bloody ego,” Rain said.
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The minister then asked the Medical Superintendent to issue a suspension order, saying: “… take him out of here”.
Dr. Kurtikar offered an explanation, but was asked by Rain to “shut up”.
“You are not authorized to speak. When I am speaking. You get out of here. You are a doctor to serve poor people. I am suspending you. I want him to give relief right now. You are just understanding one thing, you are working with me.
He says: “When the investigation starts, you give your explanation, at that time I will consider whether I want to take you back or not. Otherwise for the next two years, you will be suspended and you will remain … I will remain until I have a tenure. Poor people have to serve. I don’t want to hear you from this moment.
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Dr. Rudresh Kurtikar could not reach for a comment. Health Minister Vishwajit Rane did not respond to calls and texts.
In a statement, the Goa State Branch of Indian Medical Association (IMA) stated that it “strongly condemns our fellow ally by the Health Minister”.
“IMA Goa State Branch is deeply disturbed and depressed to note the circulating video, which clearly shows the Health Minister of Goa, with media individuals, entering the emergency ward of Goa Medical College, entering the emergency ward of Goa Medical College, to fully present a senior doctor by a press reporter to proceed to a senior doctor, who offers a senior doctor who offers a senior doctor to proceed to a senior doctor. The amount of attack, ”said this.
The association stated that it “strongly condemns this arbitrary and high-level behavior, which has humiliated and afflicted a dedicated medical professional in the full scene of the public and the media”.
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“We urge the authorities to immediately cancel the suspension and restore the doctor, making sure that a fair test is making an integral part of any grievance redressal process. IMA Goa strongly stands with the victim and hopes that better understanding and justice is strong,” the statement says.
Girish Chodankar, former president of the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee, said that the behavior of the minister was “completely derogatory, clearly biased, unprofessional and clear misuse of power.”
“Instead of handling the case with maturity and basic human decency, the minister chose public insult on dialogue. Even though the doctor was at a mistake, the basic right to hear is unacceptable, unacceptable. A respected doctor was publicly condemned by someone who should establish an example of leadership. It is not governance.”
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