AIIMS Jodhpur Anaesthesia medico death: Resident doctors launch indefinite strike, demand action, systemic reforms, ED's resignation

Jodhpur: Seeking accountability following the tragic death of a final-year resident doctor on campus, resident doctors at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Jodhpur launched an indefinite strike, demanding immediate action, systemic reforms and the resignation of the institute's Executive Director.

As part of the strike, the doctors suspended OT procedures and routine outpatient department (OPD) services from September 24. However, emergency services will continue without interruption.

Responding to the strike, the institute has asked the doctors to resume their duties and call off the strike, assuring them that their demands would be addressed. The institute has also constituted an in-house inquiry committee to probe the death of the resident doctor.

However, the protesting medicos have alleged that residents were repeatedly made to work 36-hour shifts without adequate rest, raising serious concerns over the working conditions of resident doctors and demanding accountability from the institute.

The protesting doctors also organised a candle march on Wednesday evening to pay tribute to the deceased, a first-year resident in the anaesthesia department. 

Also read- AIIMS Jodhpur Anaesthesia medico found dead in hospital washroom, suicide suspected

Medical Dialogues had reported that the medico was found unconscious in the bathroom of a doctors’ resting area while on a break from his duty at the operation theatre (OT) on the afternoon of September 22. He was rushed to the Emergency Department, where he was declared dead. Police suspect the case to be a suicide.

The SHO told PTI that some syringes were found beside him in the washroom, and it is suspected that he injected himself with a lethal drug.

Indefinite strike

Following a meeting with students and colleagues, the resident doctors decided to suspend elective OT procedures and routine outpatient department (OPD) services from today, September 24, and said the strike would continue until administration takes satisfactory and time-bound action on their demands.

"Emergency OPD and emergency OT services, however, will continue to operate as essential services and will remain unaffected by the strike," the doctors told PTI.

The Resident Doctors’ Association of AIIMS Jodhpur has called for immediate measures to address concerns related to working conditions, duty hours, workload, resident welfare mechanisms, and institutional safeguards for residents and students.

Among their key demands, the doctors have sought a public apology and acknowledgement from the AIIMS administration and Rs 5 crore in financial compensation for the deceased doctor’s family. They have also demanded that all pending dues, benefits, insurance claims, and other legitimate entitlements of the deceased be extended to the family, along with all possible institutional support.

The protesting residents have further sought official recognition of the Resident Doctors’ Association and the associated students’ union to create a regular and formal channel of communication between students, residents, and the administration.

The doctors said their demands go beyond the circumstances surrounding the death of the resident doctor and are aimed at institutional reforms to ensure the safety, dignity, health, and welfare of residents and students.

"We, the resident doctors and students, are currently on an indefinite strike and shall continue to remain on strike until satisfactory and time-bound action is taken by the institute administration. During this period, elective OT and routine OPD services will remain closed. Only emergency OPD services and emergency operative theatres will continue to function to ensure continuity of essential emergency care to the patients,' the RDA press release stated.

Institute's response

AIIMS Jodhpur expressed deep sorrow over the tragic and untimely death of the doctors. In a post on X, the institute said it stands with the doctors' families, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time and assured them of full support and assistance. AIIMS Jodhpur also said that the matter is currently under police investigation.

"The entire Institute expresses deepest sorrow and condolences on the tragic and untimely demise of Junior Resident, Department of Anaesthesiology & Critical Care, AIIMS Jodhpur. We are deeply saddened by the pain and anguish that the family, friends, colleagues, and our entire resident community are going through at this extremely difficult time. The loss of a young doctor and a valued member of our institution is deeply distressing for all of us. The matter is under investigation by the police. We stand with the bereaved family and assure them of our full support and assistance during this difficult period. At this difficult moment, our thoughts and support remain with the family and everyone affected by this tragic loss," the institute wrote in the post.

Meanwhile, moments after the tragic incident, the institution constituted an in-house enquiry committee headed by the Dean Academic to look into the circumstances leading to the death of the doctor and appealed to resident doctors to call off their strike, alleging that it could severely affect healthcare services in the region and hamper both inpatient and outpatient care.

In a letter dated September 23, 2026, addressed to residents and students, AIIMS Jodhpur said the police are also investigating the matter.

Further, the institute constituted a separate committee to look into the grievances raised by resident doctors regarding working conditions and other issues they faced while performing their duties. It asked resident representatives to submit their suggestions to the committee.

While assuring residents that their concerns were being examined and would be addressed at the earliest, AIIMS Jodhpur urged them to resume their duties in view of patient safety.

Reaction from doctors online

Dr Saransh Verma, Co-Convenor of Indian Medical Association - Junior Doctors Network, in a post on X, wrote that "End the toxic culture. When the nation needed doctors, we stood with it—without counting COVID risk, without fearing death. Now we demand accountability. Stop hiding a toxic hospital culture behind “workload” and “patient care.” Hon’ble @JPNadda @PMOIndia: act now for India’s medical fraternity. Justice for the resident lost at AIIMS Jodhpur. End 36-hour shifts. End the silence. End the toxic culture."

In a statement of solidarity, the United Doctors Front (UDF) has expressed its full support to the Resident Doctors' Association (RDA), AIIMS Jodhpur, and the resident doctors' community protesting over the doctor's death. 

UDF said the incident requires a fair, transparent, and time-bound inquiry into all the circumstances surrounding the doctor's death. The organisation also said that concerns related to long duty hours, heavy workload, adequate rest, workplace safety, ragging and harassment, grievance redressal, and implementation of existing safeguards for resident doctors need immediate attention.

Further, it referred to the Government of India Residency Scheme, 1992, applicable National Medical Commission (NMC) regulations and other institutional safeguards for resident doctors, and said these should be properly implemented and monitored.

UDF added that it has already submitted detailed representations to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, NMC, Post-Graduate Medical Education Board, National Human Rights Commission and other concerned authorities. It has sought their intervention, an independent inquiry, examination of relevant records, strict implementation of resident welfare safeguards and appropriate corrective action.

The organisation said resident doctors should not have to raise the same concerns repeatedly after every serious incident and that existing safeguards should provide effective protection to them at the workplace.

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