The Health Department has decided to suspend a gynaecologist who went on leave without sanction from the District Hospital, Tirur, causing hardship to patients. Some organisations, particularly the Muslim Youth League (MYL), had staged a protest against gynaecologist Libi Manoj two days ago when she went on leave and joined a private hospital.
Her absence led to many problems at the district hospital as the Health Department could not find an immediate replacement. The MYL took out a protest march to her private clinic and locked it and handed over the key to the police.
District Medical Officer V. Ummer Farook said that Dr. Libi was guilty of dereliction of duty as she went on leave on personal grounds and joined a private clinic before any replacement could be appointed.
The Health Department has recommended punitive action against Dr. Libi. As Tuesday and Wednesday are holidays, the suspension order is likely to be issued on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the Health Department did some fire-fighting by appointing two gynaecologists at the district hospital on temporary basis.
