PG doctors excessive duty hours row: Kerala DME to hold high level meeting after doctors' complaint

Thiruvananthapuram: After a doctors' body highlighted the excessive duty hours of PG medical students in Kerala and sought urgent intervention from the Kerala Health Department, the Directorate of Medical Education (DME), Kerala has decided to take up the issue through an online meeting.

In an official communication issued on April 30, 2026, the DME said that a complaint was received from the United Doctors Front (UDF) regarding the long working hours of postgraduate (PG) doctors in government medical college hospitals across the state. Taking note of the concerns, the department has scheduled a meeting on May 2, 2026, at 2 PM under the chairmanship of the Director of Medical Education. Dr. Lakshya Mittal, Chairperson of UDF has also been invited to the meeting.

The association had formally submitted a complaint to the Kerala Government on 14.04.2026, pointing out the excessive duty hours being forced upon postgraduate doctors across government medical college hospitals.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the association requested the government to constitute an independent enquiry team on duty hours of PG students to verify whether statutory regulations regarding duty hours are being properly implemented in medical colleges across the state.

The UDF strongly demanded strict implementation of the 1992 duty-hour norms, which safeguard the health, safety, and academic rights of resident doctors.

In response, the DME in the communication to UDF and Principals of all medical colleges stated, "A complaint has been submitted by the United Doctors Front (UDF) regarding the excess duty hours of PG doctors in Government Medical College hospitals. Based on this, it has been decided to examine the matter through an online meeting to be held on 02.05.2026 (Saturday) at 2:00 PM, under the chairmanship of the Director of Medical Education. All concerned Principals must strictly attend the meeting."

The DME has directed all principals of government medical colleges to attend the meeting and has also attached a Zoom meeting link, along with the meeting ID and passcode, in the communication.

Welcoming the decision, the UDF association stated that the decision to hold a high-level meeting with all GMC Principals is a direct outcome of UDF’s consistent advocacy. UDF consider this a significant victory for every PG doctor in the state.

Speaking to Medical Dialogues, Dr Mittal said, "The government agreeing to hold a meeting shows that collective voice and evidence-based demands cannot be ignored. But this should not stop at discussions. The 1992 duty hour rules must be followed properly without any dilution. Long duty hours are not just tiring for doctors, they can also affect patient care and the overall quality of medical education. We expect the Kerala Government and DME to take clear and time-bound action after this meeting. UDF will continue to support PG doctors until fair and lawful duty hours are ensured in all medical colleges. We also thank all PG doctors and supporters who stood united on this issue."

Also read- Doctors' body flags excessive duty hours of PG medicos in Kerala, seek govt intervention