From Dr. K.S.T. SURESH, M.B.B.S., DPH., Deputy Director of Health Services, CHEYYAR 604 407, Tiruvannamalai District.

To The Director of Medical Services, Teynampet, CHENNAI 600 006.

R.No. 4912/E3/2008, Dated 19.09.2008 Respected Sir, Sub: Public Health Cheyyar H.U.D. Petition by staff Tmt. Prabavathy against Thiru. S. Suresh, Pharmacist, P.H.C., Thatchur Alleged sexual harassment Enquiry report submitted Reg. Ref: 1. R.No. 496/A1/08, dated 11.08.08 of the Block Medical Officer, Primary Health Centre, Thatchur. 2. R.No.497/A1/08, dated 14.08.08 of the Block Medical Officer, Primary Health Centre, Thatchur. 3. R.No.524/PHC/08, dated 25.08.08 of the Block Medical Officer, Primary Health Centre, Thatchur addressed to the Inspector of Police, Thatchur. 4. Lr. Dated 21.08.08 from Thiru. N. Pulikesi, H/O Tmt. Prabavathy, Staff Nurse, Primary Health Centre, Thatchur. 5. Lr.No. 528/PHC/08, Dated 28.08.08 &08.09.08 from the Block Medical Officer, Primary Health Centre, Thatchur. 6. Lr. Dated 25.08.08 from Thiru. E. Yuvaraji, Arni Town, Arni. 7. Petition by the Staff Nurse V. Prabavathi against Pharmacist Mr. Suresh, P.H.C., Thatchur dated 09.09.08. 8. D.O. Lr.No.4912/E3/2008 Dated 11.09.2008 of D.D.H.S., Cheyyar. ---

With reference to the above, Deputy Director of Health Services, Cheyyar conducted a personal enquiry on 19-09-2008 at Thatchur Primary Health Centre. During the enquiry the following staff were present. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. V.H.N. V.H.N. H.I. Driver V.H.N. Hospital worker B.M.O. I.C.T.C. Councilor Medical Officer Medical Officer ICTC Lab Technician Staff Nurse A.N.M. Staff Nurse Staff Nurse K. Indirani N. Sumathi P.C. Velu G. Rameshbabu A. Balagujam M. Murugesan Dr. Senthilkumar Mr. K. Senthilkumar Dr. N. Amudha Dr. C.K. Devi Priya Mr. M. Madankumar M. Selvi S. Elizabeth M. Meena M. Lakshmi

-216. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. Driver Superintendent Non-Medical Supervisor Block Health Statistician Junior Assistant Sanitary worker Health Inspector Gr. I Staff Nurse Pharmacist Lab Technician Gr III Driver Assistant A.G. Jawahar M. Kalaimani K. Palanivelu Vijaya M. Valli Alexander K. Mothiraman R. Loganathan C. Poongavanam R. Karikalan P. Dharani P. Annamalai V. Prabavathi (Petitioner) S. Suresh

Sanitary worker (Contract) -

In the petition dated 09-09-08 the petitioner (Mrs. V. Prabavathi) has alleged that Mr. Suresh Pharmacist Thatchur was sexually harassing them from the day one she and two more Staff Nurses joined duty at Thatchur PHC. She alleged that Mr. Suresh Pharmacist PHC, Thatchur used to speak in double meaning and he has said that they (Staff Nurses) adjusted him, he will do no harm to them at any time, as he has contact with higher officials, he will make them jobless if otherwise. She also alleged that they (Staff Nurses) used to do writing of tokens, dispensary tablets for pharmacist. Even then pharmacist insisted to adjust him in other ways. As they (Staff Nurses) refused, pharmacist used to accused them with baseless complaints and instigated the BMO to issue memo against them. (She alleged). In additions to the above, pharmacist used to keep the rooms locked which are meant for dress change of Staff Nurse. Pharmacist used to claim that only Staff Nurse are responsible for the articles missing in the PHC and he compulsorily got signature from Staff Nurse forcibly making them responsible. She also alleged that she has a CD recorded as evidence against the above by pharmacist. She demanded an enquiry and necessary action in this regard. In this connection an enquiry was arranged and conducted by the Deputy Director of Health Services, Cheyyar on 19-09-08 at Thatchur P.H.C.

-3During the enquiry all the Village Health Nurses (VHNs)have said that the complaint is entirely baseless and entirely imaginary. Mrs. N. Sumathi, VHN, PHC Thatchur told that just because the petitioner is wife of a lawyer she has raised such baseless accusations in order to escape from her own mistakes. Health Inspectors working in PHC Thatchur have also said that such complaint is baseless and Staff Nurses are provided with keys for the rooms meant for them and hospital purpose. Hospital worker and Sanitary workers (Contact) have said that the complaint is false and baseless. ICTC Staff have said that the petitioner has framed false charges against the pharmacist in order to spoil his good name personally. Medical Officers working in Thatchur PHC have also expressed surprise as the complaint is entirely false. Other Staff Nurses working in Thatchur PHC have also said that the Pharmacist Mr. Suresh have never harassed them any time and he sticks to his duty only. Other Staff Nurses (Selvi, Meena, Lakshmi) have also told that they were provided with sufficient room for dress change etc. and hencef there is no place for any harassment and that they were not compelled at any time to do the pharmacist work. ANM Mrs. S. Elizabeth who is working in PHC Thatchur for nearly 3 years have said that the Pharmacist has neither said anything in double meaning nor did any sexual harassment, and she also said that he has never compelled her to the pharmacist duty and she was provided with keys of all rooms during her duty. Drivers at PHC Thatchur told that pharmacist Suresh used to treat all category of staff with equal respect and he has never involved in any other persons duty. They also said that Mr. Suresh Pharmacist is doing best of his duty and the complaint raised against him is only to spoil his good image among the public. Junior Assistant Mr. Karikalan said that the complaint is completely baseless and only the petitioner (Staff Nurse Prabavathi) used to threaten others with dire consequences just because her husband and his friend all lawyers, and he has requested action against Staff Nurse Prabavathy (petitioner). During the enquiry Staff Nurse Prabavathy (Petitioner) confirmed all her allegations as true. But she did not produce any evidence like CD which she mentioned in the original complaint.

-4In nut cell, based on the enquiry I came to the conclusions that the complaint is truly false and without any evidence. As all staffs working at Thatchur PHC including other 3 staff nurses have confirmed the complaint as purely false and baseless. Upon perusal of records dated 25-08-08 (Extract of the Staff Nurses duty register) it is found that the Staff Nurse is also being indiscipline during duty hours, as is evident from the fact that she has permanently closed the register at 04.30 P.M. 2 hours before completion of her shift duty. Without actually examined any patient during the inspection by the Deputy Director of Health Services Cheyyar dated 25-08-2008. It is also found that the nurses duty desk and the patients toilets were not cleaned during her shift hours and by patient interview It is also found that she did not check any patient and also not given any health education. Upon perusal of further records, she was also unauthorized absent on 27-08-08 (2 8 PM Shift) for which was intimated by the BMO to the Deputy Director of Health Services on 28-08-08. In conclusions, the petitioner Mrs. V. Prabavathi Staff Nurse, PHC Thatchur was given a memo along with other 3 Staff Nurses by Block Medical Officer, PHC Thatchur on 11-08-08 which initiated the problem and aggrieved by the memo, Staff Nurse Prabavathi with the support of her husband Mr. Pulikesi and his friend Mr. Yuvaraj started threatening the BMO and Pharmacist and filed a RTI petition dated 21-08-08 & 25-08-08) against BMO Thatchur, for want of records which are in no way connected to them. Following the inspection of Deputy Director of Health Services, Cheyyar to PHC Thatchur on 25-08-08. The petitioner and her husband got still aggrieved and threatened to assault the staff by showing a knife through their friend Mr. Yuvaraj on 24-08-08. Following this the BMO, PHC Thatchur based on their staff request lodged a police compliant at Taluk Police Station, Arni requesting protection. In order to escape from police complaint, petitioner has lodged a sexual harassment complaint against Mr. Suresh, Pharmacist, PHC Thatchur who is a faithful worker to the team of Block Medical Officer, Thatchur PHC. At this junction, it is also right to mention that under the leadership of Dr. V. Senthilkumar, Block Medical Officer PHC Thatchur is doing a meritorious service to the public there. For example there is increase in the number of Institutional deliveries Good antenatal care and Family Planning and Caesarian surgeries also done there during this period.

-5Hence, in view of false complaint and in order to safeguard the health of the public of PHC Thatchur area and also in the interest of all PHC staff of Thatchur PHC, it is essential to transfer the staff nurse to some other district and suitable disciplinary actions may be initiated. With respectful regards,

Deputy Director of Health Services, CHEYYAR. CHEYYAR, 19-09-2008.

Copy submitted to the Director of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Chennai-6. Copy submitted to the Mission Director, State Health System, Chennai-6. Copy submitted to the Joint Director of Health Services, Tiruvannamalai.

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