On duty ESIC Faridabad resident develops quadriparesis after alleged prolonged shift, Doctors launch indefinite strike demanding inquiry, better emergency care

Faridabad: A postgraduate resident doctor from the General Surgery Department of ESIC Medical College and Hospital, Faridabad, developed acute weakness that progressed to quadriparesis while on duty after allegedly working prolonged hours. It has been alleged that the doctor was on OT duty after working approximately 40 of 48 hours, and there was a delay in providing emergency medical treatment.

After raising their grievances with the Dean of the institute, the ESIC Faridabad resident doctors have commenced an indefinite strike today.

In a letter addressed to the Dean yesterday, the representatives of the resident doctors announced that "due to the administration's failure to respond to our concerns, residents will be withdrawing from all emergency services from 9 AM tomorrow, 22 September, 2026." 

The withdrawal of emergency services includes ICU, PICU, NICU, CCU, and Labour Room. "This step is being taken only because our repeated concerns have gone unanswered. We remain open to dialogue and urge the administration to respond at the earliest," the residents added in the letter.

What Happened? 

A PG General Surgery resident at ESIC Faridabad was allegedly on OT duty after working continuous duty for about 40 of 48 hours. He developed acute weakness during duty, which subsequently progressed to quadriparesis.

As per sources, the doctor had a hematoma around the cervical spine, which compressed the spinal cord. While the cause of the hematoma is still unknown, sources have speculated that it occurred due to the rupture of a small venous plexus. After the doctor's condition worsened, there was an alleged delay in receiving proper treatment.

The doctor is currently undergoing treatment at Amrita Hospital.

Residents Write to Dean, Demand Relief:

Yesterday, the resident doctors of the institute wrote to the Dean of the medical college, raising concerns about the failure of the administration in implementing the approved policy of emergency care allowance.

They also demanded an urgent review of the excessive duty hours of the resident doctors and urged the authorities to ensure compliance with the applicable provisions of the Central Residency Scheme, 1992.

"We, the resident doctors of ESIC Medical College & Hospital, Faridabad, like to bring to your kind attention the serious incident involving a postgraduate resident Dr. *** (Gen Surgery Batch 2025) who reportedly developed acute weakness which progressed to quadriparesis while on OT duty after approximately 40 hrs out of 48 hours of continuous duty and faced a delay in receiving timely emergency medical treatment," the letter by the resident doctors, a copy of which is with the Medical Dialogues team, mentioned.

"These kinds of multiple incidents have caused considerable concern and apprehension among the residents and students regarding the availability, accessibility and timely provision of emergency medical as well as elective medical care to residents, interns and undergraduate students within the institution. As healthcare professionals working under demanding conditions, we believe that residents should also be assured prompt and appropriate medical attention," it further added.

The doctors have demanded before the Dean that the institute provide all the medical expenditure for the treatment, including the post op rehab and comprehensive healthcare for Dr. ***, and also grant a compensatory pension if any residual neurological deficit remains for him. This, the doctors have demanded, should be made into approved and written policies for future purposes.

Further, they have demanded a prompt and transparent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the delay in emergency treatment and a written report of the findings of the inquiry. The doctors have further demanded that appropriate action should be taken against those responsible and accountability should be ensured for the current failure and to ensure safeguards for future occurrences.

Apart from this, the doctors have sought an immediate implementation of comprehensive healthcare facilities by written SOPs for priority emergency and regular medical services, including but not limited to OPD/IPD/Lab investigations/ Radiological investigations/ super-specialty treatment/ICU care/Surgical care for acute, chronic and emergency health conditions throughout the period of employment of Junior Residents, Senior Residents, Interns and Undergraduate students. In this regard, the doctors have demanded that the ESIC headquarters should issue written and approved policies, which should be implemented with clear accountability of the designated authority.

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