Health staff suspended after video of callous screening Tumakuru railway station goes viral

www.mangaloretoday.com

Tumakuru, March 21, 2020: A senior health assistant in Karnataka was suspended after a video of him conversing over phone while posted on thermal screening duty at Tumakuru railway station went viral on social media.

In a 1:08 minute video uploaded on Twitter by a passenger, a health department staff wearing no mask or safety guards is seen seated on a chair and talking on his phone. He is shown holding a thermal gun which he points at  passengers walking through the area, without actually checking them.

Information and Public Relations Department secretary P Manivannan swung into action and announced his suspension on Twitter. Health department official says Tumakuru district health officer ordered to suspend the senior health assistant for negligence during thermal scanning.

Several netizens posted the video which sparked a discussion on social media. Many netizens slammed the callous attitude of the official.

In transit places like railway stations, people are more vulnerable to the spread of infections. The infrared thermometer guns are pointed at one’s forehead to measure the temperature.

Responding to the tweet, Bengaluru divisional manager Ashok Kumar Verma wrote: “This is not a railway employee. The thermal screening at Tumakuru is being done by state authorities”. He added state  government officials have been informed.