Call for ‘Uniform Residency Scheme’ to Protect Mental and Physical Well-being
Delhi: Highlighting the severe impact of excessive duty hours on the mental and physical health of resident doctors, medical professionals across the country have demanded the enforcement of fixed working hours. Under the banner of the United Doctors Front (UDF), they have submitted a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the strict implementation of the 1992 Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) directives on duty hours.
Existing Guidelines Being Ignored
The Supreme Court of India, in 1987, had ordered the introduction of a ‘Uniform Residency Scheme’ by 1993 for PG medical students. Based on this, the MoHFW issued a directive in 1992, stating that junior residents should work no more than 48 hours per week and not exceed 12 hours per shift. However, despite these clear guidelines, many medical colleges continue to enforce extreme work schedules, pushing doctors beyond their physical limits.
The UDF press release stressed that these blatant violations not only harm doctors but also compromise patient safety. The 2024 National Task Force (NMC) on Mental Health of Resident Doctors also raised concerns regarding excessive working hours, linking them to burnout and declining mental well-being.
Tragic Incident Sparks Urgent Calls for Reform
The recent case at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, where a female resident doctor was raped and murdered after an exhausting 36-hour duty, has intensified calls for immediate action. The UDF stated that such tragic incidents underscore the urgent need for enforcing humane working hours.
Key Demands by UDF
- Nationwide implementation of the 1992 MoHFW directive to limit working hours.
- Mandatory annual affidavits from medical institutions ensuring compliance.
- Public display of duty-hour regulations in every medical college.
- Strict penalties for institutions violating the rules.
Dr. Lakshya Mittal, National President of UDF, emphasized the need for accountability mechanisms to ensure compliance. “The Supreme Court itself has termed these shifts inhuman. We have formally approached the PMO, NHRC, and state authorities to intervene and uphold the dignity of resident doctors,” he said.
AIIMS and Karnataka Government Support Compliance
AIIMS, in an office memorandum dated October 6, 2020, reiterated the 1992 guidelines, directing all its centers to enforce 48-hour workweeks and 12-hour shift limits. However, reports suggest some AIIMS centers still fail to follow these norms.
Similarly, on March 1, 2024, the Karnataka government issued a letter reminding medical colleges—both government and private—to abide by the 1992 directive. Despite this, many institutions in Karnataka continue to violate these rules.
Impact on Healthcare and Patient Safety
Medical Dialogues previously reported that excessive working hours not only deteriorate doctors’ health but also reduce the quality of patient care. The National Medical Commission’s (NMC) Task Force for Mental Health and Well-being of Medical Students has recommended:
- Maximum 74-hour workweek
- No more than 24-hour shifts at a stretch
- One weekly day off
- 10-hour shifts for five days a week
- 7-8 hours of sleep per day for optimal health
With growing pressure from doctors and medical associations, the government is now being urged to take swift action to enforce duty-hour regulations and protect both doctors and patients.
