Panel disposes of complaint of negligence against GMC docs

Panaji: The Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) disposed of a complaint filed by a father of a road accident victim after finding no violation of human rights arising out of the treatment given to the victim by treating doctors of GMC. He complained that his 31-year-old son suffered head injuries on Jan 7, 2024, and was taken to GMC by 108 Ambulance, and alleged medical negligence on the part of GMC doctors resulted in his death.

The Commission in Dec 2024 stated that it could not entertain his grievances as they did not fall within its purview, but the father then filed a review application in Jan 2025 and the Commission restored proceedings.


After examining replies from the GMC dean and perusing medical records, the Commission found that the treating doctors interacted with the patient’s mother, who was present during treatment and daily counselling after rounds. The father was not present at those times.

Acting chairperson Desmond D’Costa and member Pramod V Kamat ruled out negligence, stating that records showed doctors attended to the patient with due care, skill and diligence, following standard medical practices and doing all that was possible to save him.

The Commission observed that although the admission time was recorded as 5.14, the patient was fully investigated before formal admission, and doctors did not wait for paperwork to begin treatment.

Records indicated that protocol for head injury cases was followed without delay. The patient’s neurological condition worsened and he was shifted to the ICU and placed on ventilator support later that day.

A tracheotomy was performed on Jan 19. He was moved from ward 108 to the ICU on Jan 26, where he later died after developing an infection and failing to respond to antibiotics.

The Commission also noted that GMC had issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) for ICU discharges in Nov 2019, amended in July 2024. As per the SOP, head injury patients remain in the ICU as long as ventilatory support is required.