Kerala Doctors’ body holds sit-in protest demanding removal of NHM officer
Kochi: Government doctors staged a sit-in protest on Friday outside the district National Health Mission (NHM) office, calling for the removal of the NHM Ernakulam program officer. The protest was triggered by allegations of ‘arrogant action and misuse of power’ against the official, with concerns raised about his behaviour, particularly towards female medical officers.
The protest was organized under the banner of the Kerala Government Medical Officers’ Association (KGMOA). During the protest, the doctors also raised sexual harassment complaints against the official, revealing that as many as four female doctors had filed complaints against him with the District Medical Officer (DMO).
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Dr P.K. Sunil, the state secretary and president-elect of the KGMOA, inaugurated the protest and expressed strong disapproval of the official’s alleged behaviour. Commenting on the matter, he told TOI, “KGMOA is not ready for any compromise. We seek the removal of the accused doctor from his post. His behavior towards medical officers, especially women, is very rude”.
Dr Muhammad Salim, the district president of KGMOA, also participated in the protest and emphasized the gravity of the situation.
Medical dialogues had earlier reported a shocking incident in which 13 female MBBS students from Delhi-based Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College accused an Assistant Professor of Pharmacology of sexual harassment during a viva examination. Based on the complaint by the students, a case has been registered by the police. Meanwhile, soon after the matter came to light, a demonstration was organized by a women’s group and the protest soon manifested as a massive Public Outrage outside the college premises.
