Goa govt forms panel after boy loses leg due to medical negligence

Health Minister Vishwajit Rane announced the formation of a high-level committee to prevent such incidents in the future. The committee will visit all state-run hospitals and set required protocols. He also announced ₹25 lakh in personal funds to be provided to the boy's family. The committee will comprise the secretary, the director of health services, advisor to the health department Frezella Araujo, and others.

The government stated that observations of the committee indicated an act of medical negligence by Dr Yavanti Gawade and suspended her with immediate effect pending completion of a detailed inquiry by a panel of experts.

The boy returned to the CHC casualty department with fever, vomiting and drowsiness and was referred to Goa Medical College in Bambolim near Panaji for further treatment. The inquiry notes that he later developed edema in the toes and the affected limb had to be amputated due to gangrene.

The 11-year-old boy was brought to Community Health Centre, Valpoi, in North Goa, after injuring his left leg in a fall. During the initial treatment, a plaster slab was applied by Suresh, a multi-tasking staff member assisting orthopaedic residents from Goa Medical College.