Med colleges told to work on mental health of residents

Nagpur: Long working hours, no weekly offs, and non-sanctioning of leaves during emergency period for resident doctors in medical colleges are issues frequently raised by the TOI and other platforms. Now, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has taken note of this and issued letters to all deans and principals of medical colleges across India to consider these issues to ensure mental health and well-being of PG medical students.
NMC has also asked colleges to submit action taken reports on the issue as well as the practices they follow with special mention of cases of suicide, gender bias and incidents of dishonour to a woman’s decency. Resident doctors have welcomed this step.
“This was a much needed directive and we hope colleges will follow it properly,” said Dr Avinash Dahiphale, president of central committee of the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD).
“We are already under tremendous stress. Our recent issue of bond service for doctors who passed out in the last 2 pandemic years is still unanswered. We are under tremendous stress. Like colleges, I hope the state government also thinks about our future,” said Dr Dahiphale.
In a letter addressed to the directors, principals or deans of the medical colleges and institutions imparting post-graduate courses, Dr Vijay Oza, president of the Post-Graduate Medical Education Board, NMC, said it has received grievances from PG students (resident doctors) stating they are under stress due to long working hours, lack of weekly offs, and non-sanctioning of leaves during emergency etc.
Medical colleges in Vidarbha have also confirmed that they have received the letters and will follow the directives mentioned in it.
WHAT IS EXPECTED
Healthy and stress-free resident doctors in medical colleges
This will insure well-being of patients too
Adequate rest to resident doctors, weekly offs
Counselling for those under stress
Yoga and meditation sessions on regular basis
Sanctioning leaves whenever resident doctors require
Respecting dignity of resident doctors
Providing positive and conducive working environment