Won't apologise for standing up for patient denied care: Goa Health minister Vishwajit Rane
Panaji, Jun 8 (PTI): Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane has defended his decision to order suspension of a doctor from a state-run hospital, citing the latter's "arrogant behaviour" towards a patient.
The minister on Saturday said he will not apologise for standing up for a patient who was denied care.
Rane said he took the action after receiving a complaint from a senior journalist who pointed out that his mother-in-law was mistreated by the doctor in the casualty ward of the Goa Medical College and Hospital.
The GMCH, located at Bambolim near here, is a state-run hospital with more than 1,000 beds. It provides medical services to patients from Goa as well as from nearby areas of Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Its Chief Medical Officer Dr Rudresh Kurtikar was fired in public view and later ordered to be suspended by Rane after he "lost his cool" during his surprise visit to the GMCH on Saturday.
Later, talking to reporters on Saturday evening, Rane said "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," the minister said.
Doctors hold a noble position in the society, and most of them at the GMCH serve with great dedication, he noted.
"But when arrogance seeps into duty, when compassion is replaced with indifference, it is my responsibility to take action," Rane said.
The minister was reacting to criticism he faced on social media and also by the Indian Medical Association against his act of firing the CMO on duty.
"Over the last few hours, a lot has been said and written about an incident at the Goa Medical College today and the suspension of a doctor on duty. I feel it is important to address this directly, not just as your health minister, but as someone deeply committed to ensuring that no citizen is ever denied basic medical care, especially the elderly who deserve our utmost respect and attention," he said.
Rane said he had received a message from a family member of a senior citizen, who was already in pain and advised to receive daily injections, about how she was refused the same at the medical college's casualty ward on a public holiday.
"What made the matter worse was that the casualty (ward) had minimal patient load at the time, and yet, a simple act of compassion and care was withheld. I found this deeply upsetting," he said.
Rane said often the outrage is highlighted on same media platforms and by the public when things go wrong at the GMCH.
But when corrective action is taken, it is equally important that "we support efforts to fix the system, not tear them down," he commented.
The minister said what he did was in defence of a helpless, elderly woman.
"And I will continue to speak up, act and fight for the rights of every patient who walks into our hospital," he asserted.
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UP: Govt hospital staff booked for sexually assaulting woman in pretext of ultrasound test
Gorakhpur (PTI): A hospital employee was booked for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in the pretext of an ultrasound test here in the district women's hospital, police said on Saturday.
According to the complaint, the woman, a resident of the Gulriha area, visited the district women's hospital on Thursday morning for an ultrasound test.
She was directed to a room, where Abhimanyu Gupta was conducting ultrasounds. When her turn came, the accused allegedly stared at her and told her to remove all her clothes, claiming it was necessary for the test and that a massage would also be required, she said.
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The woman alleged that once she complied, the accused began making obscene advances and tried to force himself on her. When she screamed, he allegedly gagged her, abused her and threatened to kill her before pushing her out of the room.
She said her complaints within the hospital went unheard, forcing her to approach the police.
Taking cognisance of the complaint, the hospital administration constituted a three-member inquiry committee, officials said.
Senior consultant (paediatrics) Dr Jay Kumar said, "The woman has levelled serious allegations against a staff member. Senior officials have been informed, and a departmental inquiry is underway. Strict action will be taken if the charges are proved."
Kotwali Station House Officer Chatrapal Singh said a case has been registered, and efforts are on to nab the accused.
