Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Health and Devaswom Minister K Muraleedharan on Friday called for immediate steps to reduce the work pressure on medical representatives, saying companies operating in the state should act without delay following the alleged suicide of a young medical representative here.
In a statement, the minister said the death of B Mithun, a native of Thamalam was "deeply saddening" and called for a detailed investigation into the incident.
"The news of the suicide of Mithun, allegedly unable to bear the pressure from his company, is deeply saddening. A detailed investigation into the death must be conducted, and those responsible must be identified," Muraleedharan said.
He said medical representatives play a crucial role in the healthcare sector and that all companies functioning in Kerala should take immediate steps to reduce their workload.
"Medical representatives play a crucial role in the healthcare sector. The work pressure they face must be reduced, and all companies operating in Kerala should take immediate steps in this regard," the minister said.
Muraleedharan said the Health Department viewed the incident with the "utmost seriousness" and stressed that such incidents should not be repeated at a time when many young people are working as medical representatives.
"At a time when a large number of young people are working as medical representatives, such incidents must not be allowed to recur. The Health Department views this incident with the utmost seriousness," he said.
The minister said the issue of employees losing their lives due to "excessive pressure to achieve company targets" would be taken up with the Labour Department.
"The situation in which employees lose their lives due to excessive pressure to achieve company targets will be brought to the attention of the Labour Department," he said.
He also said the Health Department would formulate and implement programmes to reduce mental stress among people working in the healthcare sector and would hold discussions with representatives of medical representatives' organisations on the issue.
Mithun (26), a medical representative with a private Ayurvedic medicine company, was allegedly found dead at his home on Tuesday night in a suspected suicide.
The Poojappura Police are investigating whether work pressure led to his death and are recording statements from his family members and colleagues.
Following the incident, the Kerala Medical and Sales Representatives Association had staged a protest in front of the Secretariat, alleging that Mithun died due to work-related pressure and demanding strict action against those responsible.
If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress, thoughts of self-harm, or a mental-health crisis, seek help from a qualified mental-health professional or contact a crisis-support helpline in your area. 24x7 Helpline number: 1800-599-0019.