ICU sexual abuse case; Senior Nursing Officer Anitha begins hunger strike

KOZHIKODE: Senior Nursing Officer P B Anitha has initiated a hunger strike in front of the principal's office in protest against her transfer from Kozhikode Medical College even after High Court order was given in favour of her. Anitha alleges that she was transferred to Idukki as retaliation for testifying in favour of a woman who was molested by an employee during her treatment at the medical college. She arrived at the medical college on April 1 with a favourable verdict from the High Court, only to be turned away due to the principal being on leave. N Padmanabhan, the senior administrative officer of the college overseeing the principal's duties, stated that the Director of Medical Education has directed the implementation of the court order.

Anitha asserts that her transfer is a deliberate act and she vows to protest in front of the medical college until she is reinstated. The protest march to the principal's office demanding Anitha's reinstatement was inaugurated by Kerala Gazetted Officers Union State Vice President Beena Poovathinkal and led by the State Employees and Teachers Organization. The Kerala Government Nurses Union, NGO Association and Kerala Gazetted Officers Association also participated in the protest.

On March 18, 2023, an attendant named Sasindran molested a young woman who was in the ICU recovering from thyroid surgery. Subsequently, five hospital employees threatened to withdraw the complaint and approached the Health Department. Meanwhile, Senior Nursing Officer Anitha, who testified in support of the survivor, was also transferred.