Odisha Nurse attempts suicide over alleged workplace harassment

Balasore: In a disturbing incident of alleged workplace harassment, a 50-year-old nurse from the Bhadrak District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) allegedly attempted suicide by jumping in front of a moving train on Friday. She reportedly took the drastic step following prolonged mental harassment and blackmail by a doctor and fellow staff members at the hospital.  

The nurse was a resident of the Dhusuri area in Bhadrak district, left the hospital during her duty hours, and went to the Bhadrak railway station around 4 p.m. She then reportedly jumped in front of a moving train in a desperate bid to end her life.

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According to the news reports, she sustained severe head injuries but was promptly rescued by alert personnel from the Railway Protection Force (RPF), who rushed her to Bhadrak DHH. Due to the critical nature of her injuries, she was later transferred to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, where she remains in a critical condition.

The nurse was allegedly subjected to continuous mental harassment at her workplace, according to her husband. He claimed that access to the hospital's toilet was denied to her by the matron, raising the concern that while a man might find an alternative outside, such options are not easily available to a woman in that situation..

He further claimed that a doctor and two nurses at the hospital blackmailed his wife using personal photographs, which reportedly led to her emotional breakdown and the eventual suicide attempt.

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According to TOI, in response to the incident, Bhadrak's 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 her allegations will be transferred from their current ward duties and will be assigned elsewhere until the investigation concludes.

He added that no formal complaint had been submitted to the authorities before the incident. However, in light of the nurse’s serious allegations and her attempted suicide, the matter is being treated with utmost seriousness. Disciplinary action and departmental proceedings will be initiated based on the findings of the ongoing investigation