DHS Director Standoff Continues as Dr Reena Unable to Assume Charge Despite Tribunal Order

Thiruvananthapuram: The crisis over the post of DHS Director continues, with Dr K J Reena unable to take charge for the second consecutive day despite a favourable court order. Dr Reena said that even though the order is in her favour, she is unable to assume the post. She added that, whether or not she holds the position, the health department's functioning must proceed smoothly, and that she has no wish to become a "stumbling block" in that process. The standoff stems from Dr V Meenakshi's refusal to vacate the post of DHS Director.

Dr Reena denied allegations that she had been negligent during the Nipah containment efforts or had withheld information. She said she had informed the Health Minister over the phone the moment the Nipah test result came in, and that around 20 officials, including those in the Minister's office, received the Nipah report by email at the same time. She pointed out that the responsibilities of the Health Department and the Medical Education Department are distinct — patient care and sample collection fall under the medical college's purview, while surveillance and containment measures to prevent further spread of Nipah are carried out by the Health Department.

The Director of Medical Education had received the same email, Dr Reena said, adding that each official had their own respective responsibilities. She also responded to allegations that she had not been active during the period when Nipah was spreading, saying she had, at the time, a major responsibility of urgently posting 395 Assistant Surgeons who had received advice through the PSC. She said she had been occupied with this work until 5.10 pm that evening, with a section clerk and two assistant directors present alongside her.

Describing herself as an officer who takes her duties with utmost seriousness, Reena said she had been actively present in the field during both the floods and the Wayanad disaster, returning from the Wayanad disaster site just five days before her own daughter's wedding. She said she has not had a single lapse in her official career so far.

The Kerala Administrative Tribunal had earlier stayed the order transferring Dr K J Reena from the post of DHS. However, when she arrived on Friday to take charge, Dr Meenakshi, who had been given temporary charge, refused to vacate the seat — leading to dramatic scenes at the office