Stop Inhuman 36-hour shifts! Doctors Demand fixed duty hours, write to PM Modi
Duty Hours for Resident Doctors
Delhi: Citing 'inhuman shifts' which are gravely affecting the mental health and physical well-being of resident doctors across the country, the doctors are demanding strict enforcement of fixed duty hours for resident doctors by introducing a ‘Uniform Residency Scheme.'
The doctors under the umbrella of United Doctors Front (UDF) have also submitted a letter to the Prime Minister of India requesting for proper implementation of the Directives of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) Dated 05 June 1992 for fixed duty hours of resident doctors in medical colleges/Institutions under National Medical Commission (NMC).
The Supreme Court of India had ordered to introduce a ‘Uniform Residency Scheme’ by 1993 for PG Medical Students on 25.9.87. Based upon the judgement, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (Govt. of India) issued a directive in 1992 to all states for the Implementation of the ‘Uniform Central Residency Scheme’ on 05 June 1992. Instruction No.13 of the directive titled ‘Hours of Work’ has a provision that the Junior Residents should ordinarily work for 48 hours per week and not more than 12 hours at a stretch.
In a Press Release, the association pointed out that despite clear directives from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) in 1992, many medical colleges and institutions continue to force resident doctors to work beyond humane limits, leading to severe mental and physical health consequences. These guidelines are being blatantly ignored, putting both doctors and patients at risk, stated the association.
"Even the 2024 National Task Force (NMC) on Mental Health of Resident Doctors has flagged alarming concerns regarding excessive working hours. A recent tragic incident at RG Kar Medical College, Kolkata, where a female Resident Doctor was raped and murdered after an inhuman 36-hour duty, has further highlighted the urgent need for change," the association added.
Hence, the association demanded an immediate nationwide implementation of the 1992 directives. Moreover, an annual affidavit should be submitted by all medical institutions to the National Medical Commission (NMC) ensuring compliance. A public display of duty-hour regulations in every medical college should be made mandatory. Strict penalties should be implemented for institutions violating these rules, the association demanded.
Talking to Medical Dialogues, Dr. Lakshya Mittal, National President, UDF stated," The Hon’ble Supreme Court itself has termed such duty hours as inhuman. We need accountability mechanisms to enforce these regulations effectively. We have formally approached the Prime Minister’s Office, NHRC, and all State Authorities to intervene and ensure Resident Doctors are treated with dignity and respect. We are thankful to the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for reiterating these 1992 guidelines in an office memorandum dated 06.10.2020, directing all its centres to adhere to the 48-hour workweek and 12-hour shift limits. Despite, some centres of AIIMS are not following the rule."
Dr. Mittal also pointed out that the Karnataka Government has also issued a letter on 01.03.2024, reminding all government and private medical colleges to comply with the 1992 directive, prohibiting duty hours exceeding 12 hours at a stretch. Despite, some medical colleges in Karnataka are not following the rule. Pointing out that long duty hours of the Residents Doctors are very unfortunate not only for the doctors but also for the healthcare quality of the common people, UDF has urged the government to ensure fixed duty hours for the residents doctors.
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that Noting that excessive duty hours affect the physical and mental health of medical students and compromise patient safety, the National Medical Commission's Task Force for Mental Health and Well-being of Medical Students had recommended that the resident doctors should not work more than 74 hours per week, and no more than 24 hours at a stretch.
In its report, which had been made public, the Task Force also recommended that the resident doctors should be given one day off per week, a 24-hour duty, and 10-hour shifts for the remaining five days. As per the report, it is crucial to ensure medical students get 7-8 hours of daily sleep for their mental and physical health.
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