Valpoi CHC doctor suspended for medical negligence

Panaji/Valpoi: The public health department has suspended the services of Dr Yavanti Gawade, medical officer, community health centre, Valpoi, with immediate effect in a medical negligence case where an 11-year-old boy’s leg was amputated.

The suspension order was issued based on preliminary observations of the internal committee indicating medical negligence by the doctor.

The boy was brought to the health centre’s casualty department on April 27 at 3.30pm with a history of fall and injury to the left leg.

Medical officer on duty, Gawade, examined him, and an X-ray of the left leg was advised and it revealed a non-displaced closed fracture of the left fibula.

An application of a plaster slab was advised as part of initial management, and the slab was applied by multi tasking staff Suresh, who was assisting orthopedic residents deputed from the GMC and was functioning in the capacity of an orthopedic assistant.

On April 28 at 6.15pm, the patient was again brought to the health centre’s casualty department with complaints of fever, vomiting and drowsiness and was examined and immediately referred to the GMC.

At the GMC, it was revealed that the boy developed oedema of the toes and underwent amputation of the affected limb due to gangrene.

The internal committee, after detailed discussion and review of records, observed that the plaster slab procedure was carried out by assisting staff without adequate direct supervision and documented reassessment by the treating medical officer and that urgent orthopaedic consultation/referral at the initial stage could have been considered considering the age of the patient and fracture-related risks.

“...Govt has decided to indefinitely suspend the services of Dr Yavanti Gawade, medical officer, community health centre, Valpoi, with immediate effect till a detailed inquiry is completed into the matter by a committee of experts. She shall not be entitled for any remuneration and allowances during the said duration,” said the order by the public health department.