Kochi , 31 May (H.S.): A nurse working at a private hospital in Thodupuzha allegedly attempted suicide in the early hours of Sunday following what colleagues and union leaders described as prolonged workplace harassment by senior nursing officials.

The nurse, who also serves as the Unit Secretary of the United Nurses Association (UNA), is currently undergoing treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Hospital sources said her condition is stable and showing signs of improvement.

The incident triggered protests by fellow nurses and hospital staff, who demanded strict action against the officials allegedly responsible for the harassment. Demonstrators called for the dismissal of the Chief Nursing Officer and a nursing supervisor, whom they accused of subjecting staff to continuous mental pressure.

According to UNA State President Shoby, the nurse was on night duty on Saturday along with another staff member. During the shift, they were attending to two emergency patients — one suffering from chest pain and another injured in a road accident.

While they were occupied with these cases, another patient, reportedly related to a hospital employee, arrived for treatment. Shoby alleged that the nurse attended to the patient after completing the earlier emergency cases, following established medical protocols.

However, after leaving the hospital, relatives of the patient allegedly complained to the supervisor about a delay in treatment. The supervisor subsequently contacted the nurse and allegedly reprimanded and threatened her over the matter.

“Unable to cope with the pressure and fearing disciplinary action, she consumed a number of tablets,” Shoby claimed.

The incident came to light when staff members taking over the next shift noticed a discrepancy in the medicine stock and began checking the records. The nurse was later found in an exhausted condition and was immediately shifted to the casualty department before being admitted to the ICU.

Shoby said workplace harassment remains a serious issue in many hospitals, adding that nurses already face severe staff shortages and heavy workloads.

Meanwhile, activists of DYFI and Yuva Morcha staged separate protests outside the hospital demanding accountability. Thodupuzha police visited the hospital following the demonstrations, though no case had been registered till Sunday evening. A meeting between hospital management and representatives of the nursing staff has been scheduled for Tuesday.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman