Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, May 13: Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Wednesday announced financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh for the family of an 11-year-old boy who allegedly lost his leg due to medical negligence at a government hospital in North Goa.

The minister also announced the formation of a high-level committee to review systems and introduce stricter medical protocols across government hospitals to prevent similar incidents in future.

Addressing reporters, Rane described the incident as “deeply unfortunate” and said the state government was committed to ensuring accountability in the healthcare system.

“We cannot reverse the damage caused to the child, but we can at least ensure that such incidents do not happen again,” he said.

The Goa government has suspended Dr Yavanti Gawade, medical officer at the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Valpoi, pending a detailed inquiry into the alleged negligence.

According to officials, the committee formed by the government includes the Health Secretary, Director of Health Services, health department advisor Frezella Araujo, and other senior officials.

The boy was admitted to the Valpoi CHC on April 27 after suffering a leg injury in a fall. An X-ray reportedly showed an undisplaced fracture of the left fibula.

As per the inquiry report, a plaster slab was allegedly applied by a multi-tasking staff member who had reportedly been assisting orthopaedic residents at the hospital.

The child was again brought to the casualty department the following day after developing fever, vomiting and drowsiness, following which he was referred to Goa Medical College in Bambolim near Panaji.

Doctors later found severe swelling and gangrene in the affected limb, forcing them to amputate the leg.

The Goa government earlier stated that preliminary findings of the inquiry pointed towards an “act of medical negligence”, following which the concerned doctor was suspended with immediate effect pending completion of the probe.