Dr. Saira, a Senior Veterinary Surgeon of Kazhakootam Veterinary Hospital, Kerala has been suspended from service for not attending a call from a livestock farmer on Dr. Saira’s personal mobile phone after office hours. At around 7.30 pm while returning from the hospital for her son’s treatment, the complainant farmer whose animal was suffering from Lumpy Skin Disease, called Dr. Saira’s personal mobile phone 18 times and when she stopped the vehicle and answered the call, the alleged animal keeper abused her & her family verbally and hung up the phone.
Dr. Saira has taken all the steps to treat the animals of the complainant and control the spread of the disease even during the days when she was on leave. She ensured the treatment of the animals with the available doctors in the surrounding area of the complainant’s farm. Methylene blue, a drug advocated by many for the treatment of LSD, was not available in the hospital and was only obtained through the district epidemiologist and treated all the animals on the farm. It is totally unfair to allege that no timely treatment was given, despite all humanly possible interventions being done in this matter. It is also objectionable that the allegation of medical negligence was made without a proper inquiry report by an expert committee having technical knowledge of veterinary treatment and that the doctor was not given an opportunity to explain. The Kerala State Veterinary Council was bypassed for inquiry about the negligence of treatment if any. Framing baseless allegations against a Lady veterinarian and suspending her from service without an expert committee inquiry is an act of atrocity. National IVA Strongly demanded the immediate revoke of the suspension of Dr. Saira and withdraws all proceedings against her in this regard. National IVA will always be at the forefront of to fight against the violation of privacy and human rights of Veterinarians all over the country. Suspending a sincere officer who worked as per government rules during office hours and attended to her family’s needs after office hours, is a clear violation of individuals’ privacy and human rights also.
As a mark of protest, Indian Veterinary Association will observe the “Black Badge Protest day” nationwide protest in solidarity with Kerala Govt. Veterinary Officers Association, against the unjust suspension of Dr. Saira., We demand that the suspension should be revoked immediately and all action against her be dropped. Also, workplace harassment against a lady veterinarian is condemned by veterinarians all over the country. Nation Wide Black Badge Protest Day was done from Jammu & Kashmir to Tamilnadu, Maharashtra to Assam. Almost 65000 Vets actively protested all over the nation. A social Media Mass Campaign was done on 1st March 2023. If the suspension of Dr. Saira is not revoked, IVA will call for Mass Moment soon.
