Day after video of Goa health minister berating doctor causes uproar, Chief Minister Sawant steps in: ‘Appreciate tireless efforts…’

Sawant said he reviewed the issue and discussed it with Rane. In a post on X, he said, “I have reviewed the issue at Goa Medical College and held discussions with the Health Minister. I want to assure the people of Goa that Dr Rudresh Kuttikar will not be suspended.”

A still from a video showing Health Minister Vishwajit Rane reprimanding the chief medical officer of Goa Medical College and Hospital Dr Rudresh Kuttikar. (PTI)

The Chief Minister said the state government and its dedicated medical team remain fully committed to ensuring the highest standards of healthcare for every citizen. “We also appreciate the tireless efforts and invaluable service of our doctors, who continue to save lives,” he said.

I have reviewed the issue at Goa Medical College and held discussions with the Health Minister. I want to assure the people of Goa that Dr. Rudresh Kuttikar will not be suspended.

The State Government and our dedicated medical team remain fully committed to ensuring the highest…

— Dr. Pramod Sawant (@DrPramodPSawant) June 8, 2025

The row began on Saturday when Rane visited the hospital for an inspection and received a complaint against the CMO for allegedly refusing an injection to a patient.

In a video of the incident, Rane was seen berating the senior doctor, saying, “You learn to control your tongue. You are a doctor. Don’t force me to act. Keep your hands out (of your pockets) when you are standing in front of me. I generally don’t lose my cool, but you have to behave yourself. However loaded (burdened) you may be, you will talk properly to the patients and guide the patients… Remove the mask when I am speaking to you.”

The minister then asked the medical superintendent to issue a suspension order, saying, “…Kick him out of here.”

“You are not authorised to speak when I am speaking. You get out of here. You are a doctor to serve the poor. I am suspending you… You just understand one thing, you are dealing with me. First, learn to shut up when I am talking to you. You can be anything. You want to file a case, go and file a case, but I am telling you, you are suspended,” Rane said.

A still from a video showing Health Minister Vishwajit Rane reprimanding the chief medical officer of Goa Medical College and Hospital Dr Rudresh Kuttikar. (PTI)

Later, the minister said he had acted “in defence of a helpless, elderly woman”.

“…I accept that my tone and words could have been more measured. I’m not above reflection or criticism. I take full responsibility for how I communicated, and I assure you, such an approach will not be repeated,” he said in a post on X on Saturday night.

The Health Minister said he received a message from a concerned family member about “how a senior citizen, already in pain and medically advised to receive daily injections, was refused the injection at GMC casualty on a public holiday. What made the matter worse was that the casualty 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, “What I will not apologise for is standing up for a patient who was denied care.”