The suicide of a first-year postgraduate resident in pediatrics at the Shri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Medical & Health Sciences (SGRRIHMS) Medical College in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, on Friday, May 17, has sparked new concerns about the long hours and hostile environment that doctors work in.

In a news release issued on Saturday, May 18, the United Doctors Front Association (UDFA) expressed its extreme concern on the growing death toll in the neighborhood.

"This heartbreaking incident, reportedly due to a toxic departmental environment, the department’s refusal to accept his thesis protocol and excessive duty hours, has deeply impacted the medical community and highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive reforms," according to the press statement.

It also urges the government, the Human Rights Commission, and the National Medical Commission (NMC) to pay heed to the concerns of physicians and to take proactive steps to start addressing these problems.

The resident doctor's terrible suicide serves as a reminder of the unfavorable working conditions and toxic senior behavior at these medical institutions, which threaten the health and well-being of medical students.

Consequently, the UDFA requests: 

• Regular work hours for residents pursuing postgraduate degrees (PG).

• A required day off every week for postgraduate students to guarantee enough sleep. 

The press statement also expresses support for medical interns and postgraduate residents in India who commit their lives to the nation's healthcare system. 

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Priyanka Pandey/MSM)