No apology from health minister Rane, but admits tone improper

Panaji: Following heavy criticism of his public castigation of a chief medical officer at Goa Medical College on Saturday, health minister Vishwajit Rane said he “did intervene”, but that his “tone and words could have been more measured”.

Rane also said “such an approach will not be repeated”.

“Yes, as the health minister, I did intervene and 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.“However, what I will not apologise for is standing up for a patient who was denied care. Doctors hold a noble position in society, and most of them at GMC serve with great dedication.

But when arrogance seeps into duty, when compassion is replaced with indifference, it is my responsibility to take action,” he said.Rane said that if such behaviour is allowed to pass unaddressed, it will send a message that it is acceptable to deny a senior citizen or any other person medical help.“That cannot happen in a govt hospital that is meant to serve the public… when corrective action is taken, it is equally important that we support efforts to fix the system, not tear them down. I did what I did in defence of a helpless, elderly woman. And I will continue to speak up, act, and fight for the rights of every patient who walks into our hospital,” said Rane in a statement on ‘X’.