New Delhi: The United Doctors Front (UDF) has urged the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to immediately implement its recent order on resident doctors’ duty hours, which limits work to 12 hours per day and 48 hours per week, along with one mandatory weekly off.
Background of the Order
On 21 August 2025, AIIMS had issued an order stating that:
- Resident doctors should not work beyond 12 hours a day.
- Junior residents should not exceed 48 hours per week and should not work more than 12 hours at a stretch.
- Weekly offs would be provided on a rotational basis.
- Duty hours could be made flexible depending on workload and clinical requirements.
UDF’s Concerns and Demands
UDF President Dr. Lakshya Mittal emphasized that prolonged working hours were directly contributing to burnout, stress, and mental health issues among resident doctors. Despite the order, many residents reported non-implementation and even fear of punitive action for demanding adherence.
The association has demanded:
- Transparent duty rosters with weekly offs uploaded on the official website.
- Accurate record-keeping of duty hours and overtime to prevent exploitation.
- Strict implementation of one weekly off.
- Designation of an authority to monitor compliance and act against violations.
- Awareness sessions for new PG students and parents about duty hour rules and grievance redressal mechanisms.
RTI Application Filed
To ensure accountability, UDF has also filed an RTI application with AIIMS seeking details of:
- Officials responsible for implementing the 21.08.2025 order.
- Actions taken to enforce compliance.
- Complaints from junior residents regarding non-implementation.
- Any punitive measures taken against non-compliance.
Feasibility Concerns
While the guidelines appear ideal, some medical associations have raised doubts over their feasibility. Dr. Sai Kaustubh, President of AIIMS Delhi’s Resident Doctors’ Association, earlier stated that implementation would be challenging with the current manpower strength, suggesting that increasing resident numbers is the only practical solution.
