Mangaluru, May 9: The staffs at Lady Goschen hospital protested demanding reinstatement of superintendent of Lady Goschen hospital Dr Shakunthala, who was demoted for dereliction of duty and transferred to Wenlock hospital.
The staff including nurses and medical officers Lady Goschen hospital condemned the satet government’s move. They alleged that the decision was taken without studying the matter properly.
Addressing the media, nurse Bhavani, president of Dakshina Kannada nurses association, said, patients from 10 districts visit to this hospital for treatment. There is a lack of nurses and doctors and half the hospital is demolished, still we work for 13 hours a day.
Speaking about the post delivery death of a woman named Poovakka which sparked protests on Friday May 8th, she said the case had some complications. Later the decision taken to transfer Dr Shakunthala was not a proper one. The matter should have been discussed with us post which a suitable action could be initiated. Though several patients visit this hospital, they are treated well and sent home. All the government facilities are provided to the patients, she said.
A memorandum would be submitted by the nurses’ association to health minister U T Khadar and the government demanding reinstatement of Dr Shakunthala, she said.
The protesting staff also said that in the death case of Poovakka, her husband who later had filed a complaint, did not come when she got admitted to the hospital or delivered her child, and came only after her death. The documents before undergoing caesarean procedure were signed by her uncle and not her husband, they said.
Balakrishna Rai of Human Rights Federation told the media that, a memorandum will also be submitted by the federation to U T Khadar requesting reinstatement of Dr Shakunthala.
A memorandum was submitted by the staff before withdrawing the protest.
Speaking to the media, Dr Shakunthala said that she respects the government order and the health minister’s decision.
