Telangana doctors seek 12-hour duty cap, flag 24-36 hour shifts

Hyderabad: After JIPMER and other medical colleges issued a circular reiterating that resident doctors should not work beyond 12 hours at a stretch and 48 hours per week, doctors in Telangana have sought similar implementation across Telangana.

Highlighting that resident doctors in the state work for long hours, often extending to 24-36 hours at a stretch, without proper weekly offs, the Healthcare Reforms Doctors Association (HRDA), Telangana has written to the Director of Medical Education (DME), urging implementation of regulated working hours for resident postgraduate doctors, senior residents, and interns in both government and private medical colleges.

The Residency Scheme was implemented by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on June 5, 1992, following directions from the Supreme Court, which mandated the duty hours of resident doctors to a maximum of 12 hours per day and 48 hours per week.

The association, in its letter, highlighted the working conditions in Telangana, stating that the situation remains concerning. It noted that resident postgraduate doctors, senior residents, and interns are frequently subjected to prolonged duty hours, often extending to 24–36 hours at a stretch, without proper weekly offs in several institutions, including both government and private medical colleges.

Such excessive working hours, the association pointed out, lead to severe fatigue, mental stress, and burnout, and also have a direct impact on patient safety and quality of care.

"This is not only a matter of doctor welfare but also a matter of maintaining standards in healthcare delivery and medical education. Regulated duty hours are essential to ensure that doctors can function effectively and safely. Further, the National Task Force on Mental Health and Well-being of Medical Students (2024) has highlighted that a significant proportion of medical trainees are experiencing stress, burnout, and mental health issues due to excessive workload and lack of adequate rest. The report also emphasises the need to regulate duty hours to ensure a safe and sustainable working environment," the association said in its representation.

In this regard, they requested that the necessary directions may kindly be issued to all medical colleges under your jurisdiction to implement a clear and uniform policy ensuring that duty hours are limited to a maximum of 12 hours per shift and 48 hours per week, along with a mandatory weekly off.

"We also request that strict compliance may be ensured across all institutions. We further request that an effective monitoring and grievance redressal mechanism be put in place to ensure that these guidelines are implemented in both letter and spirit," it added.

Medical Dialogues had reported that the Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) clarified that junior residents should ordinarily work for 48 hours per week, and no duty hours should stretch more than 12 hours continuously.

Commenting on this, HRDA President, Dr Karthik Nagula, told Medical Dialogues, "This is not only inhumane but also poses a direct risk to patient safety. We have formally requested the Director of Medical Education to immediately implement regulated duty hours—restricting work to 12 hours per shift and 48 hours per week, along with a mandatory weekly off across all medical colleges. This is not just a demand for doctor welfare; it is a necessary reform to ensure safe, effective, and accountable healthcare delivery. We urge the government to take immediate action and ensure strict implementation through proper monitoring mechanisms."

Also read- JIPMER caps resident doctors duty at 12 hours per stretch, 48 per week, doctors welcome move