Digital , June 10 – Doctors at Goa Medical College (GMC) called off their strike on Monday following the intervention of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who visited the hospital, held discussions with officials and doctors, and assured action on their key demands. The strike was called by the Goa Association of Resident Doctors (GARD) and supported by FAIMA, with a 24-hour ultimatum demanding a public apology from Health Minister Vishwajit Rane over a recent incident involving Dr Rudresh Kuttikar. During the CM’s visit, doctors stood outside the Dean’s office where the meeting was being held, holding boards demanding an apology from the Health Minister. Sawant met with the GMC Dean, Medical Superintendent, Dr. Kuttikar, and other representatives to resolve the issue. Speaking after the meeting, CM Sawant thanked the doctors on behalf of the people of Goa and said, “As Chief Minister, I will personally monitor the situation to ensure such incidents are not repeated.” He also urged Dr Kuttikar to put the incident behind him “with a big heart” and continue working collaboratively at GMC.
CM confirmed that all seven demands made by the doctors were accepted. A MoU was also signed in his presence. Sawant assured that a PSI will be deployed at the outpost, and 50 additional police personnel will be deployed at GMC and a vigilance committee headed by the Health Secretary would be formed. He also said that protocols would be put in place, and videography and photography would be banned inside hospital interiors—including by ministers and their media teams. Strike withdrawal is likely to restore normalcy at the state’s premier healthcare institution.
