NGO Union to File Complaint with Health Minister Over Health Inspector Deepa Lekha's Death

Thiruvananthapuram: The NGO Union will file a complaint with the Health Minister on Wednesday regarding the death of health inspector Deepa Lekha in Chokli, Kannur. The union alleges that Deepa Lekha was transferred without even being given humanitarian consideration.

Deepa Lekha collapsed and died while speaking to the chairman of the Health Standing Committee at the panchayat office about her transfer. She was initially transferred to Mattannur. After she filed an appeal, she was transferred to Pinarayi. The order transferring her to Pinarayi was received last Friday.

The mental distress caused by successive transfer orders is alleged to have contributed to Deepa Lekha's death. She had hoped that the transfer would be cancelled after meeting the District Medical Officer in person and submitting her medical records, including documents relating to an injury to her leg. Although the postmortem report confirmed that the cause of death was a stroke, demands are growing for strict action against those responsible for the inhumane measures that allegedly pushed her into such a situation.

Deepa Lekha, who was also an NGO Union worker, had joined Chokli six months ago. An order transferring her to Mattannur had been issued two weeks ago. The first transfer was cancelled after she cited an injury sustained in a road accident. She was subsequently transferred to Pinarayi.

Within three months of the UDF coming to power, more than 20,000 government employees were transferred as part of retaliatory measures. Sudden transfers are causing mental stress among many employees, with several being posted to distant locations. The UDF government began the retaliatory measures even before taking the oath of office after winning the election. These transfers are being carried out with the support of the NGO Association, the organisation affiliated with the ruling front.