Andhra HC notice to NMC, govt over alleged violation of duty hour norms for PG medicos
Andhra Pradesh High Court
Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh High Court has sought the response from the State and Central Government and the National Medical Commission (NMC) on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that alleged violation of prescribed duty hours of the postgraduate medical students in the government medical colleges and teaching hospitals.
Taking cognisance of the PIL, the court directed both the Centre and the State government to file detailed counter-affidavits in the matter. While considering the issue, the Division bench comprising Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice Challa Gunaranjan issued notices to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Secretary, the National Medical Commission (NMC), the State Chief Secretary, the Director of Medical Education, and Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences.
The PIL was filed by a Guntur-based senior doctor, who argued that the PG medical students are being subjected to excessive workloads and they often have to work up to 24 hours or more continuously.
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As per the latest media report by The New Indian Express, during the hearing of the matter, the counsel for the petitioner, V. Lakshmi Harish, submitted before the Court that in some instances, the PG medicos were working up to 36 hours without a break.
Further, the counsel argued that the NMC guidelines, which stipulate a maximum of 12 working hours except in emergencies, are not being implemented. Even in the cases where the doctors have to work extended hours during emergencies, they are entitled to compensatory rest the following day.
While the bench observed that the shortage of doctors is a key reason for the excessive workload, such extreme work pressure could adversely impact patient care.
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that, taking cognisance of a complaint alleging inhumane duty hours for PwD medical students, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The complaint before NHRC has been filed by Dr. Lakshya Mittal, the Chairperson of the United Doctors Front, who highlighted 24-72 hour shifts, violation of the Uniform Central Residency Scheme, 1992, and lack of reasonable accommodation. Filing the complaint, Dr. Mittal has sought strict implementation of the norms with mandatory weekly offs.
