Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)
Udupi, Oct 13: Junior health assistant of Brahmavar health centre consumed poison in an attempt to kill himself, alleging harassment at the hands of the chief medical officer of the centre.
The person who took this extreme step has been identified as Nagaraj M E (24), younger son of Eshwarappa M K from Bhadravathi. He is currently being treated at the intensive care unit of Manipal Hospital.
Nagaraj had joined the health centre three months ago. He consumed some tablets and bleaching powder in his room on the night of October 10. Although he attended his duties the next morning, he fell seriously sick during the office hours and was rushed to a local private hospital. He has since been admitted into KMC Hospital at Manipal for further treatment.
Brahmavar community health centre's chief medical officer, Dr Mahesh Aithal, allegedly was harassing M E Nagaraj, duly passing comments like he is unfit for work. “He was also not allowing Nagaraj to sign the attendance register and was asking him to leave the job,” claimed a relative of Nagaraj.
It is said that there have been several complaints against Dr Mahesh Aithal and that the department has not been taking any action against him. He is alleged to be harassing staff members under him and complaints sent to deputy commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis did not have the desired effect.
Manipal police station has since conveyed the information to Brahmavar police station regarding the incident but police officials from this station are yet to visit the hospital, reports said. Father of M E Nagaraj said that his son had telephoned him and informed that Dr Mahesh Aithal has often been insulting and harassing him, and urged the authorities to initiate action against the medical officer. He has also demanded for providing security for his son.
District health office, Rohini, said that memo had earlier been issued to Nagaraj for inefficiency. She said that prima facie it has been found that the medical officer did not intend to harass the employee concerned. She said that departmental inquiry would be undertaken relating to this incident.