By: Akanksha
The Tamil Nadu government doctors’ associations have demanded the abolition of 24-hour duty and the implementation of a rotational duty system for government employees. This comes after Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) MLA, Srivaikuntam Saravanan, who inspected Eral Government Hospital in Thoothukudi along with party members. He allegedly prompted the nurses on duty to wake the doctor up in the duty room. A video of the incident went viral, drawing criticism from doctors and netizens alike.
Saravanan conducted an inspection at the Eral Government Hospital and woke the doctor who was resting at the time, and questioned him about his duties.
The association alleged that the MLA confronted the doctor unnecessarily without understanding official procedures and calling such incidents clear harassment of government doctors.
The association pointed out that the doctors working night shifts are usually assigned continuous 24-hour duties from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm the following day. Unlike nurses and other paramedical staff, they do not have a shift-based system. They also highlighted that the physicians have repeatedly petitioned the government to introduce a shift-based system but that their demand has not been accepted.
Emphasizing hospital protocol, the association explained that while doctors are required to remain available throughout their duty period and that resting in a designated room when there are no patients is both standard and permissible — adding that it would only be a violation if there are patients waiting for treatment.
The Service Doctors and Post Graduates Association (SDPGA) further defended the duty doctor, stating that he was justified in bolting the door from inside due to past theft attempts.
Condemning the grueling work hours, the association urged the Directorate of Medical and Rural Health Services to abolish the “inhumane, slow-killing 24-hours duty” for government hospital doctors. Additionally, The associations further criticized the MLA for filming the doctor without consent.
Highlighting, severe shortage of doctors in government hospitals, especially in rural areas. It stated that some rural hospitals have only one doctor, making the shift system difficult and claimed that more than 5,000 doctor vacancies remain unfilled in the state.
“A duty doctor is NOT the hospital’s night watchman, expected to sit awake staring at the door all night. If there are no patients or emergencies, the doctor may rest in the duty room. When a patient arrives, nurses or other staff alert the doctor to attend,” said Dr A. Mohamed Hakkim on X. “More importantly, why film and circulate the faces of the doctor and staff nurses? They have professional reputations and must continue serving the same community. Such videos, without proper context, can create a wrong public perception and affect the trust of patients place in them, making their workplace environment unnecessarily difficult.”
“Doctors and nurses are human too. They have personal lives, pressures and ups and downs, yet they still show up to care for patients. Inspect. Question genuine negligence. Demand accountability.But don’t turn healthcare workers into social-media content for simply resting during a quiet night shift. Accountability is necessary. Public humiliation is not,” he added.
Also Read : FAIMA Survey Finds High Rates of Burnout, Sleep Deprivation, and Extended Duty Hours Among Resident Doctors
The association warned in a statement that if any further incidents targeting doctors or healthcare workers occur, it may resort to immediate protests, including a statewide boycott.
(Rh/APC)