Goa Health Minister Apologises Over Viral Video of Public Reprimand to Senior Doctor
Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane has issued a public apology after a video of him harshly scolding a senior doctor during a hospital visit went viral, sparking widespread outrage from the medical community and political opposition. Rane admitted his approach was inappropriate and offered an apology to the doctor, his family, and the medical fraternity.
The video, which quickly circulated on social media, shows Rane berating Dr. Rudresh Kuttikar, the Chief Medical Officer of Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), during a surprise inspection on Saturday, June 7. The minister accused Dr. Kuttikar of misbehaving with patients and, in a dramatic move, announced his suspension on the spot.
In the footage, Rane is seen saying, "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 must treat patients with respect."
Facing criticism from the Indian Medical Association (IMA), doctors, and opposition leaders, Rane appeared on India Today TV on Monday and issued a formal apology. “I agree it was not appropriate the way I reacted. I could have spoken to the doctor privately. I would like to apologise to Dr. Kuttikar and his family if I have hurt their sentiments,” Rane said.
He further added, “I want to apologise to the Indian Medical Association as well. I stood up for the patients, and I understand their pain—my own mother is a cancer patient. But my words were wrong, even if my intent was right. I do not wish to politicise the matter.”
The Goa IMA condemned the minister’s conduct, describing it as “an act of humiliation” and called for an immediate revocation of the suspension. They also demanded a fair and impartial inquiry into the matter, warning against unilateral action.
Under mounting pressure, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant intervened to de-escalate the controversy. In a statement, Sawant assured that due process would be followed and that Dr. Kuttikar would not be suspended.
“I have reviewed the situation and spoken with the Health Minister. I want to assure the people of Goa that Dr. Rudresh Kuttikar will not face suspension,” the Chief Minister said.
Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Sawant added, “The State Government and our dedicated medical professionals are committed to providing the highest standards of healthcare. We value and appreciate the relentless service of our doctors who continue to save lives every day.”
Meanwhile, opposition parties including the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and Revolutionary Goans Party criticised Rane for his “arrogant” behaviour and demanded greater accountability from the state government.
The incident has triggered debate on how public officials interact with frontline healthcare workers and the need to handle sensitive situations with professionalism and respect.