PALAKKAD: Dr R Prebhudas, nodal officer of tribal health in Attapadi and the medical superintendent of Kottathara tribal specialty hospital, hit out on Monday at health minister Veena George alleging that she was accompanied by some corrupt members of the hospital management committee, who had demanded bribe and taken it too for clearing bills of some contractors.
“Since I was trying to stop their corrupt practices, some management committee members are against me. They misguided the minister while they accompanied her during the hospital visit. I was kept away from Attapadi deliberately. Attempts are being made to make me look corrupt, even though I always opposed any corrupt practices in running the hospital,” Prebhudas told media persons in Attapadi on Monday.
He said that he had written many letters to the health department seeking funds to complete the construction of a ward, lift, for more doctors, staff and other facilities at Kottathara hospital. “All these letters were ignored. If adequate facilities are not made available in the tribal specialty hospital, the tribal infant deaths will continue in Attapadi,” he added.
“I am being punished not for no fault of mine. Neither the minister nor the health department top official asked me anything over the complaints that are said to have been raised against the hospital. The hospital in Attapadi is a good one due to the tireless efforts of doctors and other staff there. When we ask for more facilities, we are being made the culprits. But we cannot take the responsibility for no fault of ours,” said Prebhudas.
When asked about punitive action against him by the government, he said, “I do not fear for any action. I have been working as a doctor in Attapadi since 2007 and became the nodal officer in 2013. I was awarded the best doctor of the state. The tribespeople of Attapadi know me well and appreciate my work too. This is my biggest award.”
