DNB trainee attempts suicide after Mumbai hospital suspends her over complaints of long duty hours

A first-year DNB general surgery trainee in Mumbai tried to attempt suicide, citing long duty hours at Saifee Hospital. This was her second suicide attempt, the first having occurred few months ago. The Saifee Hospital has also directed that she be suspended until further notice over her claims of long duty hours.

A suspension order dated September 2 instructed the trainee not to enter the hospital premises without permission of the authorities.

The trainee had earlier complained to the National Board of Examinations in Medical Science (NBEMS) , which later asked the hospital to regularise her duty hours.

Trainee’s friend, Anupam Chaudhary, a Lucknow-based doctor, told Careers360 the trainee and her friends were made to report in the morning and work past midnight.

However, while almost everyone faced the same ordeal, some could cope with it; others couldn't, Chaudhary adds.

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Trainee reached out to NBEMS

According to Chaudhary, the trainee reached out to NBEMS. The board later asked the hospital to regularise her working hours. Following this, the hospital reduced her role to a floor RMO, with little exposure to surgical cases.

Among the other allegations against the hospital, Chaudhary told Careers360 that she was “humiliated” and was asked to punch out at 4 pm but was expected to work beyond her working hours .

“The hospital instigated her colleagues against her, who would taunt her. An issues was created out of a rookie mistake she had made during surgery. Her guide wouldn't except her thesis,” Chaudhary added.

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Suicide attempt ‘kept under wraps’

The Lucknow-based doctor further alleged that this was her second suicide attempt, and the first one was a few months ago, which was “kept under wraps”.

She was directed to not report to the hospital following a hearing with NBEMS officials regarding her complaint, which led to her overdosing and being admitted to the ICU. The city police have recorded her statement.

She is stable now and with her parents at their home in Bhiwandi, on the outskirts of Mumbai.

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‘Playing victim card,’ says hospital official

The DNB coordinator at Saifee Hospital, Sandeep Gaonkar, said that she was brought to the hospital after the suicide attempt but left this morning against medical advice.

“She had been found guilty of multiple instances of misconduct. The HR had given her a charge sheet and sought her explanation. All claims about the extended duty hours and harassment are false. She is playing the victim card,” DNB coordinator said.

Show cause notice against trainee

In a show-cause notice issued on August 14, the trainee was asked to explain in writing why a confidential inquiry and suspension should not be initiated against her, failing which the undersigned may conclude that she has “no explanation to offer” and may proceed to its logical conclusion in accordance with the rules.

The show-cause notice mentioned several instances in which the hospital claimed that she made “false allegations” of long duty hours, refusing to admit a patient, or putting up defamatory posts against the hospital.

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Another complaint against Saifee Hospital

According to a complaint letter dated May 10 to health and family welfare, trainees fear retaliation or punitive action if they raise complaints.

A DNB general surgery trainee was forced to leave his seat last month due to unbearable duty conditions at the Saifee Hospital, the complaint letter said.

Therefore, the NBE official suggested a proper inquiry into issues such as the status of training quality or whether duty is being assigned unrelated to their specialty. The other issues include whether academic supervision is being done by qualified modern medicine specialists as mandated by NBE or whether excessive duty hours are affecting patient care.

Although the NBE official also directed the constitution of a high-level committee. The committee should hold meetings with DNB trainees to record statements without fear or victimization.

Notably, the DNB surgery trainee who resigned due to illegal duty hours should be given a fair opportunity to rejoin with written assurance of compliance with duty hour norms, the complaint letter added.

If you know someone – friend or family member – at risk of suicide, please reach out to them. Those in distress or having suicidal thoughts or tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling 9820466726 or visiting AASRA’s official website or can call iCALL on 9152987821. Here are some more helpline numbers of suicide prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families.