Rane offers Rs 25L aid for boy who lost leg after med negligence

Panaji: Health minister Vishwajit Rane has announced a compensation of Rs 25 lakh from his personal trust for the 11-year-old boy whose leg was amputated following medical negligence at the Valpoi community health centre.

The public health department on Monday indefinitely suspended Dr Yavanti Gawade, medical officer at the Valpoi community health centre. The action follows findings of lapses in treatment and supervision during the boy’s initial medical management.

The boy was brought to the casualty department on April 27 at around 3.30pm with a history of a fall and injury to his left leg. Gawade examined the child, and an X-ray of the injured leg was advised. The scan reportedly revealed a non-displaced closed fracture of the left fibula.

As part of the initial treatment, the application of a plaster slab was advised and carried out by a multi-tasking staff member. However, the internal inquiry later noted that the procedure was performed without adequate direct supervision and documented reassessment by the treating medical officer.

On April 28, the boy was again taken to the casualty department after he developed fever, vomiting and drowsiness. He was immediately examined and referred to Goa Medical College for further treatment.

At GMC, doctors found that the boy had developed oedema in the toes, and his condition later progressed to gangrene, resulting in the amputation of the affected limb.

The internal committee observed that an urgent orthopaedic consultation or referral at the initial stage could have been considered, particularly keeping in mind the patient’s age and fracture-related complications and risks.