'Humiliated in Public, Apologise in Public': Doctors Tell Goa Health Minister

Panaji: Amid the ongoing controversy over the suspension of a senior doctor at Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) by Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, the concerned doctor has rejected an apology tendered by the Minister on the social media platform X.

Calling it a "studio apology", Dr. Rudresh Kuttikar, who was suspended by the Rane, demanded a public apology from the Minister at the Casualty Department of the hospital, where he had been berated by the Minister on Saturday.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Dr. Kuttikar said, "The minister should come to the Casualty Department and publicly apologise at the same place."

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane had lashed out at GMCH Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Rudresh Kuttikar for allegedly misbehaving with patients during his surprise visit to the premier facility on Saturday and ordered his suspension. The incident took place during the Minister's surprise visit to the hospital. 

Rane had reportedly received a complaint stating that Dr. Kuttikar was refusing to treat a patient and misbehaving. The video of the incident, which went viral, showed Minister Rane walking into the casualty ward and confronting the CMO.

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After the video of Rane berating the CMO in front of the staff went viral, the Goa branch of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) condemned the minister's action and urged authorities to immediately rescind the suspension and reinstate the doctor while ensuring a fair trial. Meanwhile, the Goa Association of Resident Doctors had also given an ultimatum to the Government to issue a public apology. Giving a 48-hour ultimatum to the Government, the resident doctors in Goa had warned to initiate a strike if their demands were not met. 

"While I may have erred in my communication, my intent was always to ensure that no patient is denied timely care and that our public health system remains responsive and compassionate. However, I am equally concerned about the disruption in services at Goa Medical College, which is now impacting thousands of innocent patients. The public is bearing the brunt of this situation, and I urge all our doctors to reflect on the larger responsibility we share the welfare of our people. This issue is now unfortunately being politicised, turning a professional matter into a political confrontation. That is not the path we should follow. Let us not allow the sanctity of GMC and its service to the people be diminished by external agendas," he added.

"Our focus must remain steadfast on healing and helping. I appeal to our doctors to return to duty with the same passion and commitment that defines their profession. Disservice to the people of Goa, in any form, cannot be justified. Let us all rise above this moment, reaffirm our shared commitment to public health, and work together to ensure that no patient suffers due to misunderstandings or misplaced priorities. Goa looks up to its doctors with pride. Let us continue to live up to that trust," Minister Rane's X post further read.

Doctor Rejects "Studio Apology" by Minister: 

Dr. Kuttikar rejected the "studio apology" from the Minister and demanded that the Minister apologise to him at the site of their previous interaction "within 24 hours".

As per the latest media report by Indian Express, speaking to reporters at GMC on Monday afternoon, Rane said, "I have seen the video, but it is a studio apology… All the doctors demand that the apology should be where the incident happened… in front of the people. It could be recorded. (Just) as my humiliation went viral, the same thing (apology) should also be viral. I was humiliated completely that day… So, I want (that) everyone should know (about) the apology. Within 24 hours, he has to apologise."

Dr. Kuttikar also provided an explanation regarding the incident that took place on Saturday. He said that someone came to the Casualty ward of the hospital and asked for a Vitamin B12 injection to be administered to a relative. 

"Vitamin B12 injection is not an emergency injection. So, we said that you have to go to the OPD or a nearby primary health centre. In the casualty ward of a tertiary care hospital, only serious and critical patients are to be handled, so it is the protocol. But nowadays, even minor cases end up coming to the Emergency department," said Dr. Kuttikar.

He also mentioned that if the demand for the in-person apology is not accepted, it will result in a strike.

Reactions from Medical Community: 

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Senior Resident Doctors' Association (MSRDA) has urged the Prime Minister to intervene in the GMCH incident. The association has written to the Prime Minister condemning the public suspension of the Chief Medical Officer at GMCH by the State Health Minister.

Even though the suspension was later revoked, the association highlighted that it caused a severe blow to the morale and dignity of government doctors. The association warned against the rising trend of scapegoating doctors for administrative failures and demanded an official apology at GMCH's Casualty Department.

MSRDA also appealed for national safeguards, including strict protocols for suspensions, grievance redressal systems, and zero tolerance for political intimidation of medical professionals.

"The Maharashtra Senior Resident Doctors’ Association (MSRDA) stands in unconditional solidarity with the doctors of GMCH GOA and echoes their just and dignified demand: that the Honourable Health Minister of Goa personally apologise at the hospital, particularly in the Casualty Department, where doctors continue to serve under extreme pressure and risk," the association stated in its letter addressed to the Prime Minister.

Referring to the incident at GMCH, the association added, "This episode is not merely a bureaucratic misstep; it is emblematic of a disturbing trend where doctors are made scapegoats for administrative or political gain. The very public nature of this humiliation, without due inquiry or protocol, sets a dangerous precedent. It sends a chilling message that the immense dedication and integrity with which doctors serve society can be disregarded in an instant."

"Government doctors are the backbone of India’s healthcare system. From remote rural PHCs to the emergency rooms of overcrowded urban hospitals, they serve selflessly—often working 48-hour shifts, making life-and-death decisions, managing epidemics, and sacrificing personal comfort and family time, all for the greater good. They are trained for over a decade before they can stand independently as specialists. Yet, despite their noble service, they are increasingly being subjected to verbal abuse, physical assaults, threats, and now, public humiliation by individuals in power. The GMCH incident is not isolated. It is reminiscent of earlier instances—the assault on junior doctors in Kolkata in 2019 that led to nationwide protests; the manhandling of doctors in Telangana; the public blaming of frontline healthcare workers during COVID-19. In all such instances, it was only after substantial outrage that steps were taken. Should it always take agitation before justice?" questioned the association.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has also expressed its "deep concern and disappointment" over the incident at GMCH Goa. Issuing a Press Release, the Association added on Monday, "The Indian Medical Association expresses its deep concern and disappointment over the recent incidents in Goa and Jharkhand, where doctors were subjected to harassment by political leaders at Goa Medical College and Hazaribagh Government Medical College respectively. These actions not only show blatant disrespect toward the medical fraternity but also foster an atmosphere of fear, mistrust, and demoralization within the healthcare system."

IMA highlighted that while doctors remain devoted to put the patients first, it is also essential for the doctors to be treated with dignity. "The recent events are not just isolated acts of misconduct; they are reflective of a larger and deeply troubling disregard for the sanctity of the medical profession. It is particularly shameful when lawmakers—those entrusted with upholding justice and order— act in ways that undermine the very principles they are sworn to protect. Such behavior sets a dangerous precedent and risks eroding public confidence in both governance and healthcare. Mutual respect between medical professionals and the public—especially those in positions of power—is essential to ensure a healthcare environment built on trust, morale, and professionalism," IMA mentioned in the release.

"While most Indian states have enacted the Medicare Service Personnel and Medicare Service Institutions Acts, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) demands that these laws be strengthened further. Specifically, any act of violence or harassment against healthcare professionals must be made a non-bailable offense with a minimum punishment of seven years' imprisonment. We also call upon the relevant authorities to rigorously implement the guidelines issued by the National Task Force appointed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court regarding the protection and welfare of resident doctors and the medical fraternity as a whole. As doctors, we do not compromise on our dignity. We remain steadfast in upholding the Hippocratic Oath and serving humanity, especially in times of crisis. However, we also expect that our service be met with respect, security, and justice," it further added.

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