SGRR Resident Doctor Suicide Aftermath: Uttarakhand Medical Council summons Principal, doctors call for nationwide protest

Dehradun: Taking cognisance of the recent suicide of the first-year Pediatrics resident from Shri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Medical & Health Sciences (SGRRIMHS), the Uttarakhand Medical Council (UKMC) has asked the institute's principal to appear before the Executive Committee of the Council tomorrow i.e. on 22.05.2024.

The Council issued this directive today after receiving the preliminary reports concerning the incident. In a letter addressed to the Principal/Dean of SGRR Medical College, Dehradun, the Registrar of UKMC mentioned, "You alongwith the Head of Department of Pediatrics and Medical Superintendent of Shn Mahant Indiresh Hospital, Dehradun are hereby directed to present yourself before the Executive Committee of Uttarakhand Medical Council on 22.05.2024 at 4:00 p.m. in the Office of Uttarakhand Medical Council, Room No. 66, Office of D.G. Health, Danda Lakhond, Sahastradhara Road, Dehradun in regards to a tragic incidence which occurred in SGRR Medical College Campus in which a young doctor namely Dr. Divesh Garg has lost his life by committing suicide as per the preliminary reports received by the office of the Uttarakhand Medical Council."

"Consider this as of utmost importance," the Council further mentioned in the letter.

Also Read: SGRR Medical College Paediatrics Resident commits suicide due to alleged toxic work culture, Doctors on protest demanding reasonable working hours

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported about the incident of suicide of a first-year PG medico at SGRRIMHS. As per sources, the PG medico was allegedly overworked, sleep-deprived, and did not even have time to eat. His father reportedly claimed that his son had not been happy ever since he joined the department and was always complaining about the insults from the faculty.

Protesting against the incident, the resident doctors at the institute decided to boycott the elective duties. The residents demanded that the authorities waive the fees of the deceased student so that his parents do not have to face any financial burden. They also urged the authorities to comply with the National Medical Commission's (NMC) guidelines of maintaining reasonable working hours, giving weekly offs, etc., a State member of IMA Junior Doctors' Network (JDN) earlier told Medical Dialogues on the condition of anonymity.

Nationwide Black Ribbon Protest: 

Meanwhile, extending support to the protesting medicos the United Doctors Front Association (UDFA) has called for a nationwide Black Ribbon Protest today i.e. on May 21, 2024.

In this regard, Dr. Lakshya Mittal, the National President of UDFA, wrote in an X (formerly Twitter) post, "The #UDFA @udfaindia is staging a Nationwide Black Ribbon Protest on May 21, 2024, in response to the tragic suicide of a Pediatrics #PGResident at @SGRRUOFFICIAL SGRR Medical College, Dehradun."

Demanding justice and urgent action from the authorities, the association has also decided to initiate a Twitter Storm today at 4 pm using the hashtags #JusticeForGarg and #BlackRibbonProtest.

The Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) has also demanded urgent action in this regard. The General Secretary of FORDA, Dr. Sarvesh Pandey mentioned in an X post, "Needs strong action against the MS and principal of SGRR medical college dehradun as soon as possible."

Hailing the action by Uttarakhand Medical Council, FORDA mentioned on X, "We are thankful to Uttarakhand Medical Council for acting promptly and issuing a summon to the Principal & MS of #SGRRIM & Shri Mahant Indresh Hospital, Dehradun. Hopefully justice will prevail and strict action is taken against those flouting the norms."

Recently, the SGRR Medical College authorities lodged a complaint before the Director General of Police, Uttarakhand against the "false and misleading information being spread on social media" against the institute.

Referring to the X (formerly Twitter) handles of some of the members belonging to the medical fraternity, the institute alleged that such "false" information is defaming and causing immense irreparable damage to the college's reputation.

Also Read:SGRR Suicide Case: Medical Fraternity Supports Activists on X as college alleges Defamation