Pune: Sassoon General Hospital's Chief Matron Rajashree Korake has been suspended by the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) in connection with the death of Assistant Matron Anita Rathod. The suspension comes after an inquiry was conducted against Korake on the complaint filed by Maharashtra State Nurses Association.

Korake has been suspended on charges of harassing assistant matron Rathod (51) during the Covid-19 crisis. It is alleged that Korake did not take her staff into confidence, insulted them and harassed them while on duty.

Rathod had died of brain haemorrhage and other medical conditions on April 24. The state nurses association had then complained that Rathod's death was due to work-related stress and harassment by seniors while she was on duty. After these complaints and allegations were made, the Director of DMER had asked BJ Medical College and Sassoon hospital to form an inquiry committee. This committee made certain observations. One of the observations was that Korake had handed over the entire responsibility of managing Covid-19 patients to Rathod. "Since April 9, the workload distribution was not done properly by Korake. When the senior assistant matron was available Korake insisted on handing over the responsibility to Rathod who was junior in position. It may have created work-related stress on Rathod," the committee had observed.

Korake was found guilty in this primary enquiry. The suspension report says that she had violated several sections of Maharashtra Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1979. The order issued by presiding officer A M Dahale also states that Korake should not leave the headquarters without prior permission of the state government.

Suman Tilekar, President of Maharashtra State Nurses Association said, "The government has given justice in this case. We welcome this decision and further request the government to take stricter action against Korake. She should not be allowed to work in Sassoon hospital. Korake should be transferred to another hospital."