Resident doctor dies after suicide attempt, accuses HoD Pharmacology of harassment in last breath

Jaipur: In an unfortunate incident, a resident doctor at SN Medical College, Jodhpur, who allegedly committed suicide after consuming a sulphos tablet on Friday, sadly passed away during treatment at SMS Hospital on Saturday night.

After his death, the family members of the deceased, a 3rd-year postgraduate student in Pharmacology, refused to accept his body on Sunday, alleging that he was subjected to mental harassment by the Head of the Pharmacology Department. It has been reported that the professor’s alleged constant pressure and toxic behaviour over his thesis caused him severe stress and emotional distress.

Demanding an action and investigation against the professor, the family staged a sit-in protest outside the hospital, and the resident doctors of Jodhpur's SN Medical College and Jaipur's SMS Medical College also joined them in solidarity at SMS hospital's mortuary, where the body of the deceased was kept. 

Also read- Jodhpur Resident Doctor Attempts Suicide by Consuming Pesticide

Medical Dialogues recently reported that a resident doctor from Jodhpur allegedly attempted suicide on Thursday by consuming a sulphos tablet- a highly toxic pesticide containing aluminium phosphide- sending shockwaves through the medical community. Following the incident, medical authorities responded urgently, arranging a life-saving transfer to Jaipur’s Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital through a specially created green corridor.

The doctor was initially admitted to Mathura Das Mathur (MDM) Hospital in Jodhpur in a critical state. As his health rapidly deteriorated, senior doctors decided to transfer him to SMS Hospital for advanced critical care, including ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation)—a last-resort life support technique typically used in cases of severe respiratory or cardiac failure. Despite the efforts of the medical team, the doctor could not be saved and died at around 8 pm. 

Before breathing his last, the doctor gave his dying declaration while lying on the hospital bed. His statements were recorded in a video that went viral on social media. In the video, he named the head of the pharmacology department at SN Medical College and accused him of mental harassment and torture. 

In response to the doctor's last statement, the Resident Doctors Association of SN Medical College, Jodhpur, has raised serious concerns. In a letter addressed to the principal of the institution, the RDA has demanded a high-level probe into the incident and alleged mental harassment by the department’s Head of Department (HOD).

Describing the deceased as a calm, intelligent and capable doctor, the RDA claimed his death was not a mere suicide but a result of sustained mental pressure and workplace harassment. The doctors have demanded immediate suspension of the Psychiatry HOD from administrative and academic duties, an FIR against him, and an impartial inquiry into the working conditions of the department. 

They also called for the formation of a grievance redressal committee, mental health support for residents, enhanced hostel security and the Formation of a high-level inquiry committee to investigate all past instances where resident doctors were allegedly forced to write apologies or faced mental harassment under departmental pressure.

The RDA has set a deadline of June 16 for a written apology from the concerned department and warned of a strike if their demands are not met.

"It has been brought to our attention that this situation has affected not just Dr. *** but several other residents in the department as well, who continue to work in an atmosphere of fear and mental distress. Many residents have reported suffering from anxiety and depression due to this hostile environment, and some have even sought transfers or taken long leaves to escape it," the letter reads. 

Speaking to TOI, Dr Manohar Siyol, president of the Jaipur Association of Resident Doctors (JARD) said, "It is extremely unfortunate that Dr *** died by suicide in Jodhpur due to the pressure of his thesis and the authoritarian attitude of the teachers."

Further, the United Doctors Front (UDF) has formally approached the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) seeking an urgent investigation into the death. 

Dr Lakshya Mittal, national president of UDF, stated that the organisation has raised serious concerns regarding alleged academic harassment and mental torture that may have led to doctor's death. He said UDF has called for an immediate inquiry into the actions of the thesis guide, the college administration, and broader institutional lapses that failed to safeguard the mental well-being of resident doctors.

"Dr *** death is not an isolated incident—it is symptomatic of a systemic crisis in medical academia," said Dr Mittal.

Suicide cases due to mental stress and depression are constantly coming up among resident doctors. After the death of this resident doctor, the matter has again come into discussion.

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