**Goa Health Minister’s Apology Rejected by Doctor Amidst Ongoing Strike**
In a recent incident that has sparked significant controversy, Dr. Rudresh Kuttikar, the Chief Medical Officer at Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), has publicly rejected an apology from Goa’s Health Minister, Vishwajit Rane. The situation escalated after a viral video captured Rane humiliating Kuttikar during a surprise inspection at the medical facility, where he accused the doctor of misbehaving with an elderly patient.
Following the incident, Kuttikar and his colleagues at GMCH announced that their strike would persist until Rane issues a public apology. Kuttikar has specifically demanded that the minister apologize in the same ward where the incident occurred. His comments came during a press conference after Rane acknowledged in an interview that while his “intent was right, the words were wrong.” Kuttikar dismissed this as a “studio apology,” stating it was inadequate.
“A genuine apology would require the health minister to visit the site of the incident and apologize publicly within 24 hours. If this demand is not met, we will continue our strike, which may lead to a shutdown of medical services,” Kuttikar warned reporters. He emphasized that if a public apology is not forthcoming within the specified timeframe, further discussions will be held regarding the potential cessation of services.
The controversy began when Minister Rane conducted an unannounced inspection at GMCH, where he publicly reprimanded Kuttikar, ordering his suspension and admonishing him to control his behavior with patients. The video of this confrontation quickly went viral, leading to widespread outrage among the medical community. The Goa branch of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) condemned Rane’s actions as humiliating and called for the immediate revocation of any suspension, advocating for a fair inquiry instead of unilateral actions.
In response to the backlash, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant intervened, overruling the suspension order. Rane later expressed regret for his reaction, stating, “I agree that it was not appropriate in terms of the way I reacted. I could have called him and had a word with him separately. I would once again like to apologize to the doctor and his family if I have hurt his sentiments.”
Despite Rane’s apology, the IMA, along with doctors, consultants, medical students, and interns at GMCH, organized a significant protest demanding a public apology from the health minister. GMCH Dean Dr. Shivanand Bandekar confirmed that the demands of the protesting doctors had been communicated to Rane. Additionally, a police complaint is set to be filed against the individual who recorded the incident.
As the situation unfolds, the medical community remains united in their call for accountability and respect within the healthcare system.
**FAQ**
**What led to the strike by doctors at GMCH?**
The strike was initiated after Health Minister Vishwajit Rane publicly humiliated Dr. Rudresh Kuttikar during a surprise inspection, leading to demands for a public apology from the minister.
