Multiple delegations of resident doctors reportedly highlighted the harsh realities they face—prolonged working hours, unsafe and unhygienic duty rooms, and a lack of concern for their basic well-being—conditions they believe constitute clear exploitation.
“We often have 24-hour shifts and operate from rooms with no ventilation, broken furniture, and unbelievably dirty washrooms,” said a resident doctor from a GMC hospital in Jammu. Many doctors requested anonymity, fearing reprisal from their seniors and hospital administrations, reports the Greater Kashmir.
Duty rooms — designated rest areas for doctors between gruelling shifts — are reportedly in disrepair across several Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) in J&K. Windows are broken, and air conditioning remains a distant dream. In some hospitals, storage dumps filled with surplus items and medical disposables have been converted into resting spaces for resident doctors.
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According to Greater Kashmir, “Are we training for some wilderness boot camp?” one resident asked sarcastically, describing recurring headaches and dizziness due to suffocating rooms. “Some doctors have even fallen unconscious from lack of ventilation. When we raised the issue, we were mocked and called weak. But these are not signs of weakness — they are unsafe working conditions,” he said.
With a chronic shortage of staff across government hospitals in the region, much of the day-to-day care falls on resident doctors. A resident doctor from GMC Srinagar explained that OPD duty begins at 10 a.m. and ends by 4 p.m., after which ward duty continues from 4 p.m. onwards. These shifts often extend to 24 hours or more. She further noted that hospitals lack proper resting areas, making even a few minutes of rest feel like a luxury.
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has laid out clear guidelines mandating that hospitals monitor resident doctors' stress levels, working hours, and ensure proper facilities. But doctors say these standards are routinely ignored in practice. “We are supposed to heal others, but our own well-being is neglected,” a doctor remarked.
Doctors also raised concerns about inadequate supervision during night shifts. Although senior consultants are expected to be on call, residents are often discouraged from reaching out to them. As a result, when complicated cases arrive late at night, residents are left to manage on their own. This leads to increased stress for doctors and greater risk for patients, creating a situation where no one benefits.
Doctors warn that sleep deprivation and physical exhaustion can impair decision-making, increasing the risk of medical errors, especially during emergencies.
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They have appealed to the government to take immediate cognisance of their situation. “We demand that the administration constitute a committee to examine facilities for resident doctors and rationalise our work hours,” one delegation said. “Ensuring humane working conditions is not only a matter of justice for us but also crucial for improving patient care,” reports the Greater Kashmir.
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