Date:15/07/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/07/15/stories/2005071510940300.htm

Kerala - Pathanamthitta

Doctors to strike work today

Staff Reporter

Alleged assault on medical officer

PATHANAMTHITTA: Government doctors in Pathanamthitta district will strike work for an hour, from 10 a.m., on Friday, demanding the arrest of district panchayat president K.K. Royson who allegedly assaulted B. Binod Kumar, medical officer attached to the Primary Health Centre at Cherukol, on Wednesday.

In an official statement, Kerala Government Medical Officers' Association (KGMOA) district president Thomas Philip and secretary O.S. Shyamsunder said leaders of the association in the district had visited the health centre on Thursday to take stock of the situation. At a meeting held there later, the doctors decided to strike work for an hour, protesting against "the official indifference" towards the assault on the doctor. They would also stage a march from Pathanamthitta General Hospital to the District Panchayat office.

The KGMOA former State president G. Gangadharan Pillai and district treasurer Vidyadharan also attended the meeting.

Nurse alleges harassment

Meanwhile, a junior nurse attached to the health centre, Daisy Kurien, has alleged mental harassment by the medical officer.

In a statement on Thursday, Ms. Kurien alleged that the medical officer used to insult her with insinuating remarks against the district panchayat president who is her brother.

Ms. Kurien said she had lodged a complaint separately before the State Women's Commission, Chief Minister, Health Minister and the District Collector against the medical officer as her complaint to the District Medical Officer earlier "yielded little result.''