Resolve Issues Faced by DNB Trainees in District Hospitals: Chitradurga DM Orders after doctors' Representation

New Delhi: Taking cognisance of the concerns faced by the DNB residents at Chitradurga District Hospital, which the doctors had earlier highlighted, Karnataka State Authorities have ordered action into the matter.

Acting on the concerns raised by the National President of United Doctors' Front (UDF) Dr. Lakshya Mittal, and also after the National Medical Commission (NMC) and National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had given instructions in the matter, the District Commissioner of Chitradurga directed the local health authorities to address the grievances of DNB trainees working in the district hospitals across Karnataka.

Addressing these issues, the District Magistrate of Chitradurga had ordered the Hospital RMO & Civil Surgeon, to investigate and resolve these matters on priority.

The administration has also called for a detailed report on actions taken, reflecting a strong commitment to improving conditions for medical trainees, UDF mentioned in a release.

Commenting on the matter, the National President of UDF, Dr. Lakshya Mittal told Medical Dialogues, "We welcome the swift action taken by higher authorities, including the NMC and NHRC, and the Karnataka state administration in addressing the grievances of DNB trainees in district hospitals. The directions from the District Magistrate of Chitradurga to investigate and resolve these issues reflect a positive step toward improving the working conditions of medical trainees."

"We are hopeful that with this intervention, ground-level challenges such as workplace toxicity, harassment, and other hardships faced by DNB trainees will be effectively addressed, ensuring a healthier and more supportive environment for all medical professionals," he added.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the DNB residents at District Hospital, Chitradurga had alleged facing harassment and threats from the consultants of the hospital. The doctors alleged that the consultants were threatening to withhold their stipends for declining duties beyond the requirements of the DNB curriculum.

Earlier, raising this issue, UDF had filed Right to Information (RTI) applications before the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the Karnataka Government seeking the details of the posts sanctioned in the hospital, details of the appointment process, list of DNB and Diploma residents currently associated with the concerned hospital, copies of the complaints regarding any problems submitted by DNB and Diploma residents and the action taken report, details of duties allotted to DNB and Diploma residents in the last three months along with the copies of the rules etc.

Also Read: Overwork, threats of Withholding stipend: DNB Residents in Chitradurga Allege Harassment by consultants, Doctors' body Files RTI

UDF had filed the RTI after receiving a complaint from the DNB residents, who alleged that they were being harassed by the consultants to do their Casualty Medical Officer (CMO) duties. Allegedly, when the residents refused to do so, the consultants threatened to withhold their stipend, not allow the residents in the OTs, and mentally harass and insult them in front of everyone. Allegedly, the residents did not even get support from the DNB coordinator and the students had also received threats of being suspended and not receiving their degrees.

Later, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had also taken cognisance of the issue and directed the District Magistrate to take immediate action in this regard.

Back then, the Commission had directed the District Magistrate of Chitradurga to inform the complainant- the President of UDF, Dr. Lakshya Mittal, about the appropriate action taken in this regard within 8 weeks.

Also Read: Take Action on Grievances of Chitradurga Hospital DNB Trainees: NHRC tells District Magistrate