SGRR Medical College paediatrics resident dies by suicide due to alleged toxic work culture

NEW DELHI: A first-year Pediatrics PG resident at SGRR Medical College in Patel Nagar, Dehradun dies by suicide due to alleded toxic work culture of his department. Indian Medical Association Junior Doctors’ Network (IMA JDN) has condemned the departmental toxicity and demanded fixed working hours for the resident doctors and a thorough investigation in this case.

The PG medico was allegedly overworked, sleep-deprived, and did not even have time to eat. His father reportedly claimed that his son had not been happy ever since he joined the department and was always complaining about the insults from the faculty.

IMA JDN took to 'X' informed that he was always complaining about the insults from faculty, 48-hour duties, and not having time to eat. "He told his father previously that he hasn't sleep for even 6 hours in 7 days. His father said that his son had not been happy ever since he joined the department", IMA JDN tweeted.

Another PG resident attempted suicide

Apart from this, a third-year PG resident also attempted suicide on the same day. As per IMA JDN tweet, she ingested 9-10 Alprex tablets and told her department that she was going to jump from a building because of this toxicity. Somehow, her colleagues calmed her down, and the department sent her home.

"PG residents sacrifice most of their personal time and youth in achiveving the necessary expertise to serve the society.But exaggerated duty time (stretching without breaks up to 40 hours on certain days), inadequate rest, hostile work environments created by some toxic seniors and a lack of time-off for PG students are significant factors contributing to burnout and mental health challenges". official press release read.

IMA JDN has demanded fixed working hours for the PG residents, anti - ragging committee, mental health committee in each medical college and one day week off.