NMC sets deadline, asks medical Colleges to submit details regarding suicide, resignation. working hours of Medical Students by November 25

Informing the colleges about constitution of an Anti-Ragging Committee, NMC mentioned on 30.09.2022, "National Medical Commission has constituted an Anti- Ragging Committee with Dr. Aruna V. Vanikar, President, UGMEB as the chairperson of the committee. Anti-Ragging Committee in its first meeting held on 27th September 2022, reviewed the ragging complaints received from the Medical Students/Parent's of the Medical Students and has expressed its concerns over incidents of suicide and suicidal tendency among the Medical Students. Although all incidents of suicide and suicidal tendency are not linked to ragging but in many cases incidents of suicide have been linked to ragging."

Therefore, the committee had decided that all the colleges should submit the following information for the last 5 years:

(i)Number of students who have committed suicide during the last 5 years (department wise in respect of PG students).

(ii) Number of students who have left the College/ Institute during the last 5 years (department wise in respect of PG students).

(iii) Details regarding the working hours and weekly off given to students.

Although NMC had set the deadline for submitting the reports as October 7, 2022, it noted that some of the colleges did not submit the reports. Therefore, issuing a gentle reminder on 18.11.2022, the Commission directed, "With reference to letter No.U-15027/7/2022-UGMEB/043899 dated 30.09.2022, on the subject stated above, there are some colleges who have not submitted their reports regarding suicide, resignation and working hours of Medical Students. It is therefore, requested that all those colleges which have not submitted the report yet may submit the same by 25.11.2022 failing which NMC may take action as per section 18(5) of National Medical Commission (Prevention & Prohibition of Ragging in Medical Colleges & Institutions) Regulation 2021. Those colleges who had already submitted their reports are requested to not send them again."

This is not the first time that the Apex medical body has shown concern for the Mental Health and well-being of the Medical students. Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that NMC had directed all the medical colleges and institutions providing PG medical training to address the mental health issues of PG medicos ( resident Doctors).

For the same, the medical colleges had 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 were 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.

Such a move by NMC came after the Commission received several grievances from Post Graduate (PG) Medical Students 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.

While the earlier direction was limited for the Resident Doctors only, now the Commission has written to the medical colleges regarding suicide, resignation and working hours of Medical students in general.

To view the official Notice, Click here : 

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/20221118155244099-191424.pdf

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