Doctor suspended for medical negligence after boy loses leg to gangrene at Goa facility
Panaji (PTI): A medical officer posted at the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Valpoi in North Goa was suspended for alleged medical negligence after the leg of a 11-year-old boy had to be amputated due to gangrene, an official said on Monday.
The boy was brought to the Community Health Centre in Valpoi on April 27 after suffering an injury to his left leg in a fall, the order issued by the state public health department said.
As per the inquiry report, the boy was examined by on duty medical officer Dr Yavanti Gawade, with an X-ray revealing an "undisplaced closed fracture of the left fibula".
"As part of the initial treatment, a plaster slab was applied by a Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) employee, identified as Suresh, who had reportedly been assisting orthopaedic residents deputed from Goa Medical College (GMC) and was functioning as an orthopaedic assistant," the report said.
The boy was again brought to the casualty department of CHC Valpoi on April 28 with complaints of fever, vomiting and drowsiness, following which he was referred to Goa Medical College in Bambolim.
The patient developed edema in the toes, after which the affected limb had to be amputated due to gangrene.
The internal committee constituted to probe the matter observed that the plaster slab procedure was carried out by assisting staff without adequate direct supervision and documented reassessment by the treating medical officer.
It also noted that urgent orthopaedic consultation or referral could have been considered at the initial stage due to the patient's age and fracture-related risks.
The government order said the observations of the committee indicated an "act of medical negligence" by Gawade, who has been suspended with immediate effect pending completion of a detailed inquiry by a committee of experts.
Gawade would not be entitled to remuneration and allowances during the suspension period, the order stated.
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VCK urges CM Vijay to enact stringent law against superstitious practices
Chennai (PTI): VCK MLA Vanni Arasu on Wednesday urged the newly formed Tamil Nadu government to enact a stringent law against superstitious practices, citing similar legislations in Karnataka and Maharashtra to curb exploitation in the name of black magic and rituals.
VCK, which won two seats in the 2026 Assembly election, has offered support to TVK to form a government during the floor test.
Speaking during the discussion on the confidence motion in the Assembly, Arasu highlighted that states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Rajasthan already have laws against witchcraft and sorcery.
"From 2013 in Maharashtra and 2020 in Karnataka, laws providing imprisonment for those who deceive through superstitious means have been in practice," he stated. The party noted that rationalist Narendra Dabholkar had fought for such a law in Maharashtra before being murdered by "Sanatana terrorists".
The VCK MLA further called on the government to prioritise scientific temper over beliefs in astrology and sorcery.
"Our government should give priority to projects that develop science without giving room for superstitions like astrology and black magic," Arasu said, citing Article 51A of the Indian Constitution, which defines the development of scientific temper as a fundamental duty of every citizen.
The party demanded a special law to prevent honour killings as well, which Arasu claimed are rising in Tamil Nadu as they once did in North Indian states.
The government was also urged to enact legislation protecting the "200-point roster system" for SC/ST employee promotions, utilising powers under Article 16(4A) of the Constitution.
Highlighting the recent arrest of 40 Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy, the VCK sought a permanent solution to protect them from such attacks.
The party called on the state government to take initiatives toward the "right of Eelam Tamils to rule themselves" and requested that the state officially observe May 18 as International Genocide Day.
