AP HOSP. HEAD FACES SEXUAL ABUSE CHARGES

The state government has transferred the superintendent of AC Subba Reddy Government General Hospital, Dr J. Prabhakar to Sri Venkateswara Medical College, Tirupati, as professor of general surgery in the existing vacancy on Saturday.

Although the government attributed the transfer to administrative grounds, sources in GGH said that the superintendent was shifted because of alleged harassment of a female medical student over the phone for sexual favours.

An audio clip in which he is using foul language while talking to the student surfaced on Thursday and went viral on social media.

Though no complaint was lodged in this regard, the State Women’s Commission took up the case suo moto and asked the State government for a probe on the incident to bring the culprit to justice.

Taking a serious view, health minister Alla Kali Krishna Srinivas (Nani) asked the director of medical education Dr M. Raghavendra Rao to conduct an inquiry into the allegations of sexual harassment by the medico and submit a full report.

He said that stringent action would be taken if the superintendent is found guilty. A fourmember committee has been formed and includes the principal of ACSR Medical College, Dr Sambasiva Rao, orthopaedic wing HOD Dr Haribabu, physiology HOD Ch Srinivasa Rao and Professor of Anatomy Dr Geetha Devi.

Meanwhile, joint collector MN Harendhira Prasad formed a panel comprising ZP CEO P. Suseela, Joint Collector (Asara) T. Bapi Reddy and ICDS Project Director Rosemond. Sources said that the superintendent was transferred based on reports submitted by the committees. Meanwhile, Dr C. RadhaKrishna Raju, professor of Psychiatry, ACSR government medical college, Nellore is to have full additional charge of the superintendent post at ACSR government general hospital.