Unfortunate: Kerala doctor dies of cardiac arrest while on duty

Ernakulam: In an unfortunate incident, a general medicine specialist who dedicated his life to improving the health and well-being of his patients has tragically passed away due to sudden cardiac arrest. This is the second such incident reported within a week.

Dr Abin J Johns, a consultant at MAGJ Hospital, Mookkannoor, collapsed during his morning rounds inside the hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest, according to a post on X made by a doctor.

Despite immediate resuscitation efforts and an emergency angioplasty at the same hospital, he could not be saved. He is survived by his wife and a two and a half year old child.

Also read- Tragic loss: Young doctor dies of sudden cardiac arrest

"He was serving patients till his very last breath. The same corridors where he saved countless lives witnessed his final moments. It is heartbreaking that someone who dedicated his life to treating others could not be saved himself. This is not the first time we have heard such news. Young doctors are losing their lives in their thirties due to sudden cardiac events," the post read.

He further added, "Long hours, constant stress, irregular sleep, and the emotional burden of medical practice are silently taking a toll on the health of healthcare professionals. Let this be a reminder that doctors also need rest, health check-ups, and time for themselves. Self-care is not a luxury for doctors; it is a necessity. May his soul rest in peace. Strength to the family and loved ones during this unimaginable loss."

The sudden demise of the young surgeon has once again highlighted the urgent need for work-life balance among doctors. Medical professionals often work long hours, sacrifice rest, and remain under constant stress. They often work anywhere between 12 to 18 hours a day, with some even stretching beyond 24 to 48 hours during emergencies or night duties.

Such long schedules, combined with high stress, lack of sleep, and irregular meals, significantly increase the risk of hypertension, heart disease, mental health issues, and burnout among medical professionals. While they dedicate their lives to saving others, this intense lifestyle takes a serious toll on their own health, sometimes with tragic consequences.

Studies from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Lancet medical journals have repeatedly warned that overwork and stress increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and burnout. In fact, the WHO estimates that long working hours contributed to 745,000 deaths from stroke and heart disease globally in a single year (2016) — a silent epidemic we rarely acknowledge.

Medical Dialogues recently reported that a former senior resident doctor at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, passed away due to a sudden cardiac arrest in Bengaluru.

Also read- 39-year-old Cardiac Surgeon dies of cardiac arrest while on duty