Goa forms panel after 11-year-old loses leg due to alleged medical negligence
Panaji- Following a tragic incident at a government hospital in Goa, where an 11-year-old boy allegedly lost his leg due to medical negligence, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Wednesday announced the formation of a high-level committee to prevent such incidents in the future.
The committee will conduct visits to all government hospitals and implement the necessary protocols. The committee comprises the Secretary, the Director of Health Services, Health Department Advisor Frazela Araujo, and other members.
According to the PTI report, the government stated on Monday that observations made by a committee indicated an act of medical negligence by the doctor. She has been suspended with immediate effect pending the completion of a detailed inquiry by a committee of experts.
Meanwhile, the Minister stated that it is unfortunate that the boy lost his leg due to medical negligence, and announced that he would provide assistance of ₹25 lakh to his family.
"I will provide financial help of ₹25 lakh from my personal funds to the family of the boy. We cannot reverse the damage caused, but at least we can make sure that such incidents don't happen in future," he said.
After sustaining an injury to his left leg due to a fall, the boy was brought to the CHC on April 27. He was examined by the Medical Officer on duty, who did his X-ray, which revealed a "closed fracture of the left fibula without displacement."
As an initial form of treatment, a multi-tasking staff member named Suresh applied a plaster cast. It has been reported that he was assisting orthopaedic resident doctors from the Goa Medical College and was functioning as an orthopaedic assistant.
On April 28, the boy was brought back to the CHC's Casualty Department, where he presented with complaints of fever, vomiting, and lethargy; subsequently, he was referred to the Goa Medical College, located in Bambolim near Panaji.
His toes became swollen, following which the affected limb had to be amputated due to gangrene.
However, the government has suspended the Medical Officer at the Community Health Centre in Valpoi, North Goa, holding her responsible for negligence.
