No medical services if....: Goa doctor berated by minister rejects his apology

Rudresh Kuttikar, the doctor who was seen being humiliated by Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane in a viral video, has rejected his apology over the matter. Kuttikar, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the Goa Medical College, has demanded that the minister come and apologise to him publicly at the same ward where he was insulted.

His remarks came in a press conference he addressed after Rane, in an exclusive conversation with India Today TV, agreed that his "intent was right but words were wrong".

Rane's apology, however, has been rejected by the doctors working at the medical college, who want him to apologise publicly. Kuttikar said that it was a "studio apology" by the minister, which was insufficient.

"A genuine apology would involve the health minister visiting the incident site and apologising in front of the people within 24 hours. If this demand isn't met, the strike will continue, potentially leading to a shutdown of services," Kuttikar said while speaking to reporters on Monday. "If a public apology is not issued within 24 hours, we will discuss the matter with everyone, and we may consider shutting down services," he added.

WHAT WAS THE CONTROVERSY?

Minister Rane conducted a surprise inspection at the medical college on Saturday and publicly accused Kuttikar of misbehaving with an elderly patient. In a video that went viral, Rane could be heard ordering Kuttikar's suspension, and asking him not to interrupt.

"You learn to control your tongue, you are a doctor. I generally don't lose my cool, but you have to behave yourself. However loaded, you have to behave properly with patients," Rane was heard as saying.

The Goa branch of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) condemned the minister's conduct, calling it an act of humiliation and demanded the immediate revocation of the suspension. They also stressed the need for a fair enquiry rather than unilateral action. Under mounting pressure, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stepped in to defuse the situation and overruled the suspension order.

After the video sparked an outrage, Rane apologised, saying his "intent was right, but the words were wrong".

"I agree that it was not appropriate in terms of the way I reacted. I could have called him and had a word with him separately. I would once again like to apologise to the doctor and his family if I have hurt his sentiments," he told India Today TV.

Despite that, the Indian Medical Association Council, doctors, consultants, medical students, and interns at the GMCH staged a massive protest demanding a public apology from the Health Minister.

GMCH Dean Dr Shivanand Bandekar confirmed that the protesting doctors' demand for a public apology from the health minister was conveyed to him. A police complaint will also be filed against the person who recorded the incident at GMCH, he said.

With inputs by Ravaji Dattaram Desai