KOZHIKODE: The doctors in the state are protesting against the decision of the health department to suspend the superintendent of the Kuthirvattom mental health centre in connection with the death of an inmate who escaped from the health centre. The KGMOA has alleged that the superintendent was being made a scapegoat. As part of the protest, doctors announced that they would boycott the OP tomorrow.

"The government is putting the entire blame on the superintendent. The police and the government were at fault in connection with the incident. The doctors will go on a statewide strike if the action is not withdrawn. Ramesan's term of office expires next month. The health department took action against him without properly examining the facts. The police should have taken special care when there was an accused in the hospital," KGMOA said.

The action was taken against the superintendent under the direction of Health Minister Veena George. The doctors decided to go on strike in protest against this. Earlier, the minister had directed the director of the health department to investigate and report on the death of a patient who escaped from the mental health centre. The report found that the Superintendent was negligent in performing his duties.

Muhammed Irfan, an inmate of Kuthiravattom mental health centre, died in an accident on Tuesday. He was a remand accused. He had escaped from the hospital on Monday night in a two-wheeler lifted from the premises.