The Department of Health has revoked the suspension of KC Ramesan, Superintendent of the Government Mental Health Centre, Kuthiravattom. He has been appointed superintendent of the Government General Hospital, Kozhikode.
The Kerala Government Medical Officers Association (KGMOA), which had decided to take leave en masse on Tuesday in protest at the perceived delay in the officer’s reinstatement, called off the strike earlier in the morning. According to government sources, N. Rajendran, who is now a superintendent at the Government General Hospital, will replace Dr. Ramesan.
The official was suspended earlier this month after a remand prisoner housed at the mental health center died in a traffic accident after sneaking out of the facility. The KGMOA called this a unilateral action, as there were only two months left until Dr. Ramesan’s retirement from service. It was also alleged that an attempt had been made to stop his promotion to a higher grade. The doctors had also launched an agitation.
Health Minister Veena George had instructed PP Preetha, Director in charge of Health Services, to visit the mental health center and present a report on the matter. The KGMOA subsequently suspended agitation until June 10. Dr. Preetha spoke with staff and others at the facility during her two-day visit beginning June 7. The KGMOA had declared to resume the strike from June 14, claiming that the government was dragging its feet on the matter. It is now known that Dr. Preetha submitted a report to the Chief Secretary for Health, on the basis of which the decision was made for Dr. Ramesan to return to duty.
