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The Kollam District Medical Officer (DMO) has submitted an internal inquiry report to the Director of Health Services (DHS) regarding the controversy at Kottarakara Taluk Hospital, confirming that doctor Rekha Krishnan failed in her duty by behaving improperly toward a patient.Finding clear lapse on the part of the medical officer, the DMO strongly recommended her immediate transfer from the institution to a facility without an emergency department. The report further advised that she should not be assigned consecutive day-and-night shifts in the future and noted that formal departmental action can be initiated against her.This report follows an earlier directive by the DMO instructing Dr. Rekha to go on mandatory leave after video footage of the incident went viral, sparking widespread public outrage. Following an on-site probe by the Health department’s vigilance wing, authorities had also issued a formal show-cause notice to the medical practitioner. The controversy erupted after clips recorded inside the casualty ward showed the duty doctor aggressively arguing with a patient seeking treatment for fever and severe body pain, along with their family.In the video, the doctor is heard asserting that a fever does not constitute a medical emergency and shouting that the casualty department was not open for people to simply rush in at midnight at their whim. Inquiry officials noted that this is not an isolated incident involving the doctor. Similar complaints regarding her conduct toward patients had been raised in the past, with two such allegations currently undergoing investigation by the department’s vigilance wing. Published - September 02, 2026 07:40 pm IST
