Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, May 14: Goa health minister Vishwajit Rane has announced financial assistance of Rs 25 lac from his personal trust for an 11-year-old boy who underwent leg amputation following alleged medical negligence at the Valpoi Community Health Centre.

The development comes after the state public health department suspended medical officer Dr Yavanti Gawade indefinitely over alleged lapses in the treatment and monitoring of the child during the initial stages of care.

According to officials, the boy was first brought to the health centre’s casualty department on April 27 after suffering a fall that injured his left leg. Following examination, doctors advised an X-ray, which reportedly showed a non-displaced closed fracture of the left fibula.

As part of the treatment, a plaster slab was applied to the injured leg. However, an internal inquiry later found that the procedure had been carried out by a multi-tasking staff member without sufficient direct supervision or proper reassessment by the attending doctor.

The following day, the child’s condition reportedly worsened. He was rushed back to the casualty ward after developing fever, vomiting, and drowsiness. Doctors then referred him to Goa Medical College for advanced treatment.

Medical specialists at GMC later discovered severe swelling in the boy’s toes, and his condition subsequently deteriorated into gangrene, eventually leading to the amputation of the affected limb.

The internal investigation committee observed that the case may have required immediate orthopaedic consultation or an early referral considering the patient’s young age and the possible complications associated with the fracture.

The incident has sparked concern over treatment protocols and supervision standards at government healthcare facilities in the state.