Nurse attempts to end life over alleged harassment by doc, hosp staff | Bhubaneswar News
Balasore: A 50-year-old nurse employed at Bhadrak district headquarters hospital (DHH) allegedly attempted to end her life by jumping in front of a moving train on Friday after facing prolonged harassment and blackmail by a doctor and fellow staff members.The victim, identified as Santoshi Mallick of Dhusuri area, left the hospital during her duty hours and reached Bhadrak railway station around 4 pm on Friday planning to take her own life. According to eyewitnesses, she sustained severe head injuries after she attempted to jump in front of a speeding train.RPF personnel acted swiftly, rescuing her from the tracks and rushing her to the DHH. Due to the seriousness of her injuries, she was later shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. Her condition remains critical.Santoshi’s husband, Nikunja Mallick, has alleged that his wife faced continuous mental harassment at her workplace. “She was denied access to the hospital’s toilet by the matron. If a man faces such a situation, he can find an alternative outside. But what is a woman supposed to do in such circumstances?” he questioned.He further alleged that his wife had been blackmailed over some personal photographs by a doctor and two other nurses, leading to severe mental distress.In response to the incident, Bhadrak chief district medical and public health officer, Dr Sudhanshu Sekhar Bal, has ordered a detailed inquiry. “Considering the sensitivity of the matter, a full investigation has been initiated,” said the officer. He added that the doctor and the two nurses named in Santoshi’s allegations will be transferred from their current ward duties and will be assigned elsewhere until the investigation concludes.He also said that no formal complaint had been received by the authorities prior to the incident. However, taking serious note of the nurse’s allegations and her bid to end life, disciplinary action and departmental proceedings will follow based on the findings of the probe.
