Report calls for action against medical officer on harassment charges
CHENNAI, APRIL 04, 2019 00:00 IST
An Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) that inquired into complaints of sexual harassment has submitted a report to the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, seeking to initiate action against a block medical officer in Tiruvarur district. The report was based on complaints from urban health nurses, village health nurses (VHNs) and a patient.
The directorate is examining the report and will be taking appropriate disciplinary action against the block medical officer. The doctor was absconding, health department officials said. In March, the Deputy Director of Health Services (DDHS), Tiruvarur, received at least eight complaints from urban health nurses, VHNs and a patient (a pregnant woman who had come for antenatal check-up) against C. Manavazhagan, block medical officer attached to the Urban Primary Health Centre in Mannargudi. The complaints ranged from attempts to sexually harass women, use of abusive language and sending inappropriate messages at night.
Vishaka guidelines
Later, the DDHS referred the complaints to the ICC as per the Vishaka guidelines. Chaired by Ranimuthulakshmi, a block medical officer, the committee had seven members including the district social welfare officer.
The complainants appeared and gave their statements, while six witnesses were also questioned. The committee summoned the doctor and he denied all accusations. Based on the inquiry, the committee concluded that all charges were true.
CHENNAI, APRIL 04, 2019 00:00 IST
An Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) that inquired into complaints of sexual harassment has submitted a report to the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, seeking to initiate action against a block medical officer in Tiruvarur district. The report was based on complaints from urban health nurses, village health nurses (VHNs) and a patient.
The directorate is examining the report and will be taking appropriate disciplinary action against the block medical officer. The doctor was absconding, health department officials said. In March, the Deputy Director of Health Services (DDHS), Tiruvarur, received at least eight complaints from urban health nurses, VHNs and a patient (a pregnant woman who had come for antenatal check-up) against C. Manavazhagan, block medical officer attached to the Urban Primary Health Centre in Mannargudi. The complaints ranged from attempts to sexually harass women, use of abusive language and sending inappropriate messages at night.
Vishaka guidelines
Later, the DDHS referred the complaints to the ICC as per the Vishaka guidelines. Chaired by Ranimuthulakshmi, a block medical officer, the committee had seven members including the district social welfare officer.
The complainants appeared and gave their statements, while six witnesses were also questioned. The committee summoned the doctor and he denied all accusations. Based on the inquiry, the committee concluded that all charges were true.
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