Valpoi CHC doctor suspended in 11-year-old's leg amputation case

Panaji: In an alleged case of medical negligence, a medical officer posted at the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Valpoi in North Goa was suspended after an 11-year-old boy's leg was amputated due to gangrene, an official said on Monday.

The incident took place on April 27 when the boy was taken to the Community Health Centre in Valpoi after suffering an injury to his left leg in a fall, according to the order issued by the state public health department.

As per the inquiry report, the boy was examined by an on-duty medical officer, and an X-ray revealed 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, news agency PTI reported.

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On April 28, the boy was again brought to the casualty department of CHC Valpoi with complaints of fever, vomiting and drowsiness, following which he was referred to Goa Medical College in Bambolim.

It was revealed that the patient later developed edema in the toes, following 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.

The committee 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 stated that the observations of the committee indicated an “act of medical negligence” by the doctor, who has been suspended with immediate effect pending completion of a detailed inquiry by a committee of experts, reports PTI.

The doctor would not be entitled to remuneration and allowances during the suspension period, the order stated.

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