Gandhi medical college doctor allegedly dies by suicide

Secunderabad: In an unfortunate incident, a doctor from the 2019 batch of Gandhi Medical College, Secunderabad, allegedly committed suicide by consuming Paraquat poison in Peddapalli district.

The incident came to light after a doctor on X (formerly Twitter) shared news about his unfortunate demise in a post. The post mentioned that, according to the deceased’s close friends, he had been struggling with depression and was deeply distressed after securing low marks in the recent National Eligibility-Entrance Test for Postgraduate (NEET-PG) examination.

According to the post, the doctor consumed Paraquat (Paraquat dichloride, commonly referred to as “paraquat) a highly toxic herbicide, a few days ago. He was rushed to Yashoda Hospital after being found unconscious, but despite all medical efforts, he could not be saved, adds the X post.

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Expressing grief, the doctor who posted about the incident wrote, "Another young doctor has died by paraquat poisoning, distressed over #NEETPG results. We’re losing some of our brightest minds — not just to an exam, but to a system that needs urgent reform."

Suicides among doctors and medical students are on the rise, which reflects a growing mental health crisis within the healthcare community. The most common reasons include severe stress, workload, academic failure, work-related harassment (especially by seniors), and general dissatisfaction.

Speaking on this, Prof. Dr Vishal Akula, senior psychiatrist and National Director Council Member of the Indian Psychiatric Society, told Telangana Today, "I believe that such tragedies demand systemic reforms in medical education and establishment of institutional support systems. Medical students face disproportionate levels of stress, stigma, and burnout. When help is not easily available, or when students feel seeking support will affect their careers, the consequences can be fatal,” he says.

Telangana Junior Doctors Association (TJUDA) General Secretary Dr D Ajay Kumar Goud said, "We have in the past urged the health authorities to implement measures to reduce workplace stress. We are collaborating with our national organisations to raise these issues at the national level. We are also addressing students in individual colleges and motivating and educating them with psychiatric support. We are also forming committees in individual colleges that will provide much-needed support to young medicos."

Recently, Medical Dialogues reported that a second-year pediatric resident doctor at Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences, Loni, reportedly committed suicide in his room. Post his demise, his colleagues have alleged that he was suffering from pressure due to an alleged extreme workload, toxic work culture, and constant humiliation by the head of the Pediatrics Department.

Also read- Loni Medical College: 2nd year MD Pediatrics commits suicide, HOD suspended