PB Anitha rejoins duty at Kozhikode Medical College; Principal's office opened exclusively for Anitha's reinstation

KOZHIKODE: Senior Nursing Officer PB Anitha, who was transferred to Idukki for standing by the victim of the Kozhikode Medical College ICU abuse case, has rejoined work. Anitha, who came with the victim today morning, registered her attendance before Sonia Jacob, Nursing Superintendent of the Institute Of Maternal & Child Health. As Sunday is a holiday, the principal's office was opened exclusively for this purpose.

The health department issued an order appointing Anitha to Kozhikode at lightning speed on Saturday night when the situation elevated to a stage that denying Anitha the job despite the High Court's order would backfire on the government. While he says she is happy to be able to return to work, Anitha is worried about being threatened by miscreants in pro-government organizations.

"I am unhappy with the delay in the appointment order. I will go ahead with the contempt petition filed against the government. I hope justice will be served in the court. I have fought till now. I have six more years of service. It will keep fighting.' Anitha said action should be taken against the NGO union leader who threatened her.

On March 18, 2023, the attendant Saseendran molested the woman who was admitted to the ICU after a thyroid surgery. The victim approached the health department saying that five employees of the hospital had threatened her to withdraw the complaint. It was Anitha who reported who those five people were. However, Anitha was transferred to Idukki based on the DME's report that there was a supervisory lapse.

Despite obtaining orders from the Administrative Tribunal and the High Court against this, the Health Department refused to reinstate Anitha. With this, Anitha came forward with a strike. The issue became more controversial when the victim also supported the strike. Meanwhile, the government had to face a severe warning from the Supreme Court in the contempt of court related to the appointment of teachers.

Health Minister hurt me: Victim

The victim said that the Chief Minister and the Health Minister did not intervene to ensure justice except to say that they were with her. "They are only hurting me. Anitha sister who protected me was denied her job. She has not done anything wrong. She has only helped. If Anitha sister is denied justice, I will go ahead with strong strike action."