“Regardless of what triggered the outburst, the public shaming of a senior doctor on duty was not just unprofessional, it was deeply demoralising to the entire medical fraternity. It struck at the heart of the trust and dignity that every professional deserves in their workplace.
That said, it must be acknowledged that Health Minister Rane eventually showed statesmanship by apologising, albeit in his own way.
While the format and forum of the apology might not have entirely satisfied the aggrieved doctors, the gesture itself was an important signal. It showed that he was willing to step back, reflect, and put patient care over personal pride.
The minister, known for his strong administrative style, demonstrated that ego must never stand in the way of service delivery, especially in the health sector, where lives are literally on the line.
At one level, this episode underscores the high-pressure environment within which healthcare professionals operate.”
A Crisis Averted, A Lesson Learnt
The storm at Goa’s premier health institution, the Goa Medical College (GMC), has finally settled, thanks to the timely intervention by Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant. The deadlock that threatened to paralyse healthcare services and erode the morale of the medical fraternity was defused with a combination of tact, sensitivity, and a willingness to acknowledge missteps.
What could have turned into an ugly standoff between the government and doctors was wisely de-escalated. The Chief Minister deserves credit for understanding the gravity of the situation. Unlike others who either remained silent or escalated matters, Dr. Sawant chose to engage directly, listen, and bring all sides together. His intervention was not only timely but also mature, ensuring that patients did not suffer and the situation did not spiral out of control.
The root of the crisis, as the public knows by now, was an incident involving Health Minister Vishwajit Rane and Dr. Rudresh Kuttikar, a respected senior doctor and Chief Medical Officer at GMC. Rane, in a moment of anger or frustration, allegedly humiliated Dr. Kuttikar in the casualty section while cameras rolled.
Regardless of what triggered the outburst, the public shaming of a senior doctor on duty was not just unprofessional, it was deeply demoralising to the entire medical fraternity. It struck at the heart of the trust and dignity that every professional deserves in their workplace.
That said, it must be acknowledged that Health Minister Rane eventually showed statesmanship by apologising, albeit in his own way.
While the format and forum of the apology might not have entirely satisfied the aggrieved doctors, the gesture itself was an important signal. It showed that he was willing to step back, reflect, and put patient care over personal pride.
The minister, known for his strong administrative style, demonstrated that ego must never stand in the way of service delivery, especially in the health sector, where lives are literally on the line.
At one level, this episode underscores the high-pressure environment within which healthcare professionals operate.
GMC is a chaotic and overstretched institution, and doctors there work under intense physical and emotional strain. Any form of public ridicule or intimidation can break morale quickly.
This is why the medical community across the state stood solidly behind Dr. Kuttikar, not just out of professional solidarity but because they saw in him a symbol of respect for their entire fraternity.
The larger issue, however, is not about one minister or one doctor.
It is about the culture of governance and the need to maintain boundaries of professionalism. Ministers must understand that while they have the mandate to oversee and administer, they must do so with dignity and restraint.
Similarly, government servants, including doctors, must also be held accountable, but through established protocols. Issuing show cause notices, holding internal inquiries, or using administrative tools are acceptable forms of discipline, not public humiliation.
Moving forward, the real challenge for Health Minister Rane will be to rebuild trust with the medical community.
His decade-long tenure as Health Minister has seen many ups and downs, but never before has there been such visible resentment or protest against him.
This incident, therefore, marks a turning point. He will have to engage more deeply with doctors, listen to their concerns, and create a work environment where mutual respect thrives. It will not be easy, but it is necessary if the credibility of the health department is to be maintained.
For the government, this must serve as a wake-up call.
Institutions like GMC are too critical to be rocked by ego battles. The health system in Goa has its fair share of challenges, shortage of staff, ageing infrastructure, and rising patient load.
The last thing it needs is an internal breakdown of trust between policymakers and practitioners.
The bottom line, all is well that ends well but only if we truly learn from what happened.
The maturity shown by the Chief Minister should become the norm in crisis management. And the humility, however late, displayed by the Health Minister should be a reminder to all in power: authority is not about domination, it is about service.
Let this episode not be remembered merely as a political embarrassment, but as a turning point that brought much-needed introspection into Goa’s healthcare leadership.
