Following the backlash over the episode in which the Goa Health Minister admonished the Chief Medical Officer at the Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim, the said minister has reportedly acknowledged that his tone and words could have been “more measured”.
Short of apologizing, it is learnt that the minister said that he takes full responsibility for how he communicated and has assured such an approach will not be repeated.
However, the damage has already been done. It is possible that the doctor in question may have not behaved in a fair manner with a patient. But then two wrongs don’t make a right. The whole matter could have been handled in a more dignified manner.
The doctor in question could have been summoned before the dean of GMC in his cabin and the matter discussed. Protocol calls for the doctor to be given an opportunity to explain his side of the story.
Shouting and scolding a doctor in front of the patients, other doctors and medical staff and even security personnel is in no way a civilized manner to react.
Even if the doctor is to be suspended there is a certain convention to be followed in such matters. After all, the minister was addressing a Chief Medical Officer and not some Class III employee.
