'Learn To Control Your Tongue': Goa Minister Loses Cool At Doctor, Later Issues Clarification
Goa Minister Vishwajit Rane suspended a GMCH chief medical officer after receiving a complaint of misbehavior towards a patient during a surprise visit.
Goa Minister Vishwajit Rane lost his cool on Saturday and ordered the suspension of the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH)'s chief medical officer after rebuking him for allegedly misbehaving with a patient. The incident took place when the minister was on a surprise visit to the medical facility.
According to news agency PTI, the GMCH, located at Bambolin, is a state-run hospital with more than 1,000 beds. It provides medical services to patients from Goa as well as from nearby areas of Maharashtra and Karnataka. During his visit, Rane received a complaint on his phone that a doctor was refusing to treat a patient and misbehaving, reports news agency PTI, quoting sources.
Accompanied by Dr Rajesh Patil, Medical Superintendent of the GMCH, Rane walked into the casualty ward of the hospital on receiving the complaint. As the minister reached the spot, he pulled up the doctor (chief medical officer) for his alleged misbehaviour, and said, "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 (burdened with work), you have to behave properly with patients," he said.
Statement of Congress Goa President
Amit Patkar said, "Today’s incident at GMC isn’t an inspection — it’s an insult to every healthcare worker in Goa. Health Minister @visrane stormed into a hospital, humiliated a senior doctor, and converted a sacred medical space into a stage for his ego and arrogance. This is not governance — this is abuse of power by a minister neck-deep in scandals:"
Today’s incident at GMC isn’t an inspection — it’s an insult to every healthcare worker in Goa.
— Amit Patkar (@amitspatkar) June 7, 2025
Health Minister @visrane stormed into a hospital, humiliated a senior doctor, and converted a sacred medical space into a stage for his ego and arrogance.
This is not governance —… pic.twitter.com/AK1BIMaN0G
Social Media Chairman of INC Goa also slammed Vishwajit Rane and said, "Is HM @visrane venting out his frustration of not being offered CM post inspite of all tricks by publicly humiliating a senior doctor on camera? Doctors deserve dignity and respect not public shaming
Is HM @visrane venting out his frustration of not being offered CM post inspite of all tricks by publicly humiliating a senior doctor on camera? Doctors deserve dignity and respect not public shaming @Manikrao_INC @DrAnjaliTai@ViriatoFern @amitspatkarpic.twitter.com/7XBAFlro6o
— Divyakumar (@DivyakumarGoa) June 7, 2025
In a five-minute-long video of the minister walking into the premises of the GMCH and pulling up the doctor surfaced on social media. In the video, he is seen telling the doctor that he should understand that he was there to serve people.
"You are a doctor and here to serve the poor people," he said.
Turning to GMCH medical superintendent Dr Patil, Rane said, "Replace him with another CMO, I will sign the file for his suspension. I want him to be suspended immediately, I usually don't behave rude but I can't tolerate this."
Later the Indian Medical Association's Goa Branch also released a press release that the behaviour of Health Minister was deeply regrettable and unacceptable which they strongly condemn.
Doctors have deeply disturbed due to arrogant behaviour of GOA minister !!
— Indian Doctor🇮🇳 (@Indian__doctor) June 7, 2025
There are need of transparent inquiry regarding suspensions &action against Rude minister !@PMOIndia @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/5fbfelOjS5
Clarification Of Vishwajit Rane
Now the minister has reacted that he has been receiving calls over the past few hours about the incident and saids that his 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. Because if we let such behaviour pass unaddressed, we send a message that it is acceptable to deny a senior citizen or any other person medical help. That cannot happen in a government hospital that is meant to serve the public," the minister added.
Over the last few hours, a lot has been said and written about an incident at Goa Medical College today involving and suspending a doctor on duty. I feel it is important to address this directly, not just as your Health Minister, but as someone deeply committed to ensuring that… pic.twitter.com/hzAQwvkczd
— Vishwajit Rane (@visrane) June 7, 2025
"There is often outrage highlighted on the same media platforms and among public when things go wrong at GMC “Doctors don’t care, nurses don’t listen, no one takes responsibility. We were made to wait for basic treatment.” And rightly so. But 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," he further added.
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