Give Weekly Off, Stress Counselling, Yoga sessions: NMC dictum to medical colleges to manage resident doctors' Mental Health

New Delhi: Showing deep concern for the Mental Health and well being of Post Graduate Medical Students, the apex Medical regulator, the National Medical Commission has recently directed all medical colleges and institutions providing PG medical training to address the issues to PG medicos ( resident Doctors). For the same, the medical colleges have now been directed to take numerous steps which range from ensuring adequate rest, weekly off, counseling for those who are under stress, arranging Yoga sessions on regular basis, sanctioning leave when required and respecting their dignity by providing a positive conducive working environment. The institutions have been further directed that a committee may be constituted to look into the complaints/grievances including anonymous complaints/grievances which may be submitted by PG students either through mail or received in a drop box specially placed for this purpose.

The move comes after National Medical Commission received several grievances from Post Graduate (PG) Medical Students (Resident Doctors) stating that they are under stress and depression due to long working hours, no weekly off, non-sanctioning of leave during emergency etc. This issue has been flagged in print media and also raised in Parliament. 

" A healthy and stress free resident doctor is critical not only for his/ her own well being but also for the well being of the patients he/she treats. All medical colleges/ institutes are therefore requested to take necessary steps for taking care of the mental health and well-being of the PG Medical Students studying/working with them," stated Dr Vijay Oza, President, Post Graduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) in his recent letter to all medical institutions.

The letter also informed about the decision of the board to intervene and monitor this issue further