MGM Indore ObGyn resident attempts suicide after alleged harassment, ragging, complaint to NMC accuses 3 doctors, demands inquiry
Indore: A first-year resident doctor at the Gynaecology Department of MGM Medical College, Indore, recently attempted suicide by administering an excessive dose of insulin. She was rescued by the police and taken to MY Hospital, where she is currently undergoing treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
It has been alleged that the medico attempted self-harm after facing a hostile working environment, including ragging and harassment by seniors. Three second-year resident doctors have been accused.
The matter has now reached the National Medical Commission (NMC), after the brother of the concerned doctor submitted a complaint before the Apex Medical Education Regulatory Body. He has requested the Commission to conduct an independent, impartial and time-bound inquiry against the 3 accused JR-2 residents and the role and alleged inaction of the HoD.
Earlier this year, a complaint was filed before the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) alleging violations of duty-hour regulations and a toxic work culture at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department of MGM Indore. Junior Residents enrolled at this department were allegedly being made to work for 16-17 hours daily, without any weekly offs. After the complaint was raised, the OBGY department reportedly changed the duty pattern from continuous 36-hour duties to a 12-hour-per-day system, with approximately 72 hours of duty in a week.
As per the sources at the medical college, the concerned PG medico was allegedly being targeted by senior residents, with comments such as, “We have worked 36 hours, so now we will not spare you.”
Since then, she was allegedly subjected to repeated humiliation, targeting and mental harassment over even minor issues. When she raised a complaint with the HOD regarding the conduct of seniors, she was allegedly told that the department could not “silence everyone” and that by complaining she had “broken the hierarchy,” implying that such behaviour was a normal consequence.
It was alleged that despite the complaint, no effective action was taken. Subsequently, senior residents also signed a letter stating that they would not work with the JR-1 resident, further increasing the pressure and isolation she was allegedly facing. Unable to cope with the continued harassment and distress, the medico attempted suicide by administering an excessive dose of insulin.
Complaint to NMC:
Filing a complaint before the NMC, the brother of the PG medico said that the circumstances preceding the suicide attempt require an immediate independent investigation, particularly in view of the prolonged harassment and pressure allegedly faced by her.
Naming three JR-2 residents in the complaint, he claimed that those seniors repeatedly personally targeted and publicly humiliated his sister over even minor mistakes. They also allegedly mentally harassed her, intimidated her, and subjected her to excessive pressure, he said.
Further, the complainant claimed that those students allegedly made statements in the group stating that she would be failed academically. They also pressurised her to perform non-academic work and excessive paperwork, adversely affecting her PG academic training, alleged the complainant.
He also claimed that the senior deliberately created a hostile environment and continuously targeted her despite previous complaints. "The alleged conduct became so severe that Dr. *** ultimately attempted suicide and is presently in the ICU," the complaint said.
"The matter was also brought to the notice of HOD Dr. ***. However, despite the alleged complaints, effective preventive action was reportedly not taken. It was allegedly stated that such behaviour was “normal in Gynaecology.” There is also a serious concern regarding working conditions. Although the official roster is reportedly for approximately 12-hour duties, Dr. *** has allegedly been required to work approximately 14–15 hours at ground level, along with substantial nonacademic/paperwork duties. The actual duty records, roster and handover/attendance records should therefore be independently examined," it further alleged.
The complainant has requested the competent authority to investigate whether the alleged conduct amounted to ragging/psychological harassment under applicable NMC Anti-Ragging Regulations, whether the conduct of the concerned persons, individually or collectively, attracted Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (abetment of suicide), read with applicable provisions relating to abetment, subject to investigation and evidence, and whether the conduct of the HoD and the alleged failure to intervene despite prior complaints requires separate inquiry.
He urged NMC to investigate the actions of the concerned JR-2 residents and the role of HoD, secure and examine all WhatsApp/group messages, complaints, duty rosters, attendance/handover records, leave communications and academic records, investigate the alleged academic failure threats, public humiliation and retaliation, examine the circumstances surrounding the insulin-overdose suicide attempt and ICU admission, take strict disciplinary action under applicable NMC Anti-Ragging/PG Medical Education regulations if the allegations are substantiated, ensure immediate protection of the victim from any further harassment, intimidation, victimisation or academic retaliation, ensure that her PG training, assessment and examination are not adversely affected because she raised complaints. Further, the complainant urged NMC that whether the evidence discloses a criminal offence, the matter be referred to the appropriate competent authority/police under the applicable law.
"This is no longer an ordinary departmental dispute. A PG JR-1 is presently in the ICU following a documented insulin-overdose suicide attempt, after allegedly facing prolonged mental harassment, public humiliation, academic threats and excessive pressure," read the complaint.
The issue was also highlighted by United Doctors' Front (UDF). In an X post, the association wrote, "A PG-1 OBG resident at MGM Medical College, Indore has reportedly attempted self-harm amid allegations of ragging, harassment and an unbearable working environment. What makes this even more disturbing is that complaints alleging toxic work culture and excessive duty hours in the OBG department had already reached the PMO and NHRC. The MP High Court has also recently sought responses over excessive working hours of PG residents at MGM Indore. How many warnings does the system need before it acts? Residency is postgraduate medical training — not a licence for ragging, humiliation, sleep deprivation or 30–36 hour duties in the name of “training.” The UDF Bharat team is in touch with the resident’s family and is extending all possible support while coordinating whatever intervention is required. This incident demands an independent inquiry, protection of the resident concerned and strict accountability wherever wrongdoing is established. Doctors cannot be expected to save lives while the training system itself pushes them to the breaking point."
