Jayadeva employees get SUHRD safety app to combat sexual harassment or violence against doctors

The State-run Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research on Wednesday released SUHRD, a safety mobile application developed for employees to combat any episodes of sexual harassment and violence against doctors.

With unique features such as ‘Shake to Safety’, ‘SOS alerts,’ ‘GPS tracker’ and an option to send a voice message and file anonymous complaints, the mobile application will send emergency alerts to all employees who have downloaded it on their phones. Anyone who is closest to the victim can rush to provide help, said Jayashree Kharge, Professor of Cardiology at the hospital, who heads the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC).

“The name SUHRD means good heart in Sanskrit. Through this app, we are also looking at developing an attitude among employees to stand up for their colleagues who are in distress. Anyone who is closest to the person in distress can rush to the spot and extend help,” the doctor said.

Shake to safety

Dr. Kharge along with the hospital’s ICC member secretary Chandana N.C., Associate Professor, Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgery (CVTS), got the app developed by Naveen Hegde from Codegres OPC Pvt. Ltd.

“He has designed it based on our requirements. The ‘Shake to Safety’ feature is an easy mode of sending a SOS alert by just shaking the mobile thrice. During times of distress, the person is under panic and may not be able to open the app and send an alert,” the doctor explained.

She said all employees are being encouraged to download the app. “It is compatible with both IoS and Android phones. Even those without a smartphone can get it by scanning a QR code. WiFi connectivity is being made available on all floors and even in the basement,” the doctor added.

Jayadeva director K.S. Ravindranath said the app has now been released for employees in the main Jayadeva institute. “The campus in the main institute is huge with the new Infosys block. We have over 2,000 employees here and this app will help in ensuring safety on the premises, although no incidents have been reported here so far,” he said.

It will be gradually released in the Mysuru and Kalaburagi branches of Jayadeva too. Dr. Ravindranath said the Directorate of Medical Education is keen on extending the service to all medical colleges in the State.