Kozhikode MCH employee arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting woman in ICU

Thiruvananthapuram: In a shocking incident, a 55-year-old Government Medical College Hospital (GMC) Kozhikode employee allegedly sexually assaulted a woman admitted to the post-surgery Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The latter was arrested by the police on Monday.

According to the police, the victim claimed that the employee exploited her while she was in a semi-conscious state after undergoing thyroid surgery at the medical college hospital.

Following this, Health Minister Veena George has taken action by ordering the director of medical education to conduct a departmental probe into the incident for maximum punishment. A three-member committee, including an additional Superintendent of Medical College, RMO and Nursing Officer, has been formed to conduct an internal inquiry.

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The incident came to light on Saturday when she was shifted to the surgical ICU from the main surgery theatre after her operation. It has been reported that the accused shifted her while another staff was busy attending to another critical patient. Taking the opportunity, the accused allegedly abused the patient in the ICU, India Today reports.

When her relatives came to visit her, the victim informed them about the abuse, she alleged that she was still under the influence of anaesthesia at the time of the incident due to which she was unable to defend herself from the harassment. However, she was clearly aware of the abuse and informed her husband when she regained consciousness.

Later, the husband filed a complaint at the police station against the accused. After receiving a complaint from the nurse in the ICU, the hospital authorities also collected information on the incident. The police collected the employee's information from the medical college hospital.

Meanwhile, the accused was absconding after committing the crime and was arrested two days later by the police. He is currently in police custody.

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