The situation at Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) has escalated following Health Minister Vishwajit Rane’s public humiliation of Dr. Rudresh Kuttikar, the Chief Medical Officer. Despite Rane's attempt at damage control with a TV apology, Kuttikar and the broader medical community have rejected it as insufficient, labeling it a “studio apology” that lacks sincerity and accountability.
Key Developments:
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Dr. Kuttikar's Demand:He has demanded a public apology within 24 hours from Rane, to be delivered in the same ward where the alleged humiliation occurred. He emphasized that the minister must apologize in front of staff and patients, not through the media.
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Strike Intensifies:Doctors across the GMCH — including medical officers, students, interns, and consultants — have continued their strike, which could lead to a shutdown of medical services if their demand is not met.
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Rane’s Apology:In an interview with India Today TV, Rane admitted, "My intent was right, but the words were wrong," and said he regretted the public outburst. However, he stopped short of issuing the public, in-person apology that Kuttikar and the medical community are demanding.
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IMA Condemnation & Public Pressure:The Indian Medical Association (Goa branch) condemned Rane’s behavior, calling it “humiliation” and demanding that the suspension order be revoked, which was subsequently overruled by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
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Potential Legal Action:GMCH Dean Dr. Shivanand Bandekar confirmed that a police complaint will be filed against the person who recorded the video, indicating concerns over unauthorized filming inside hospital premises.
Context:
The viral video of Rane scolding and suspending Dr. Kuttikar during a surprise hospital inspection triggered widespread backlash. In the video, Rane accused the doctor of misbehavior with a patient and said, "You learn to control your tongue… however loaded, you have to behave properly with patients."
The tone and setting — a public dressing-down in a patient care area — led to outrage not only from the medical fraternity but also from civil society, who view it as a breach of professionalism and a disregard for due process.
What’s at Stake:
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Healthcare services in Goa may be crippled if no resolution is reached.
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The incident has become a symbolic flashpoint for the strained relationship between political authority and medical professionals.
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The manner in which this conflict is resolved could set a precedent for professional respect and autonomy in public healthcare institutions across India.
Unless Vishwajit Rane meets the 24-hour deadline with a public, on-site apology, tensions are likely to deepen, risking a full-blown healthcare shutdown in Goa.
