Shocking working conditions of PG doctors in MP:36-hour long shifts, no sleep or rest; extreme stress turning doctors into patients

Doctors who take care of others’ health are seeing their own health deteriorate due to work stress. The pressure of continuous 36-36 hour duty is so heavy that senior and junior residents (PG doctors) are ready to leave their seats, but a bond of 30 lakhs is holding them back. The National Residency Scheme clearly states that doctors should work a maximum of 12 hours duty at a time and a maximum of 48 hours per week. The NMC also has the same guidelines. Maharashtra has even made such a policy. However, the situation in MP is alarming. Whether it’s GMC Bhopal or MGM Indore, PG doctors in medical colleges here are being made to work 36-hour shifts. They get only 8-10 hours of rest between two shifts. Cases of depression and anxiety are increasing among doctors. It should be noted that in August 2023, Dr. Bala Saraswati, who was doing PG in Gynecology from GMC, committed suicide. Family members cited long duty hours as the reason. In January 2023, Dr. Akanksha, who was doing PG in Pediatrics from GMC, and in July 2022, Apurva Golani, who was doing PG in Anesthesia from MGM, also committed suicide due to duty stress. NMC Guidelines: Maximum 12 hours and not more than 48 hours per week of duty Reality: Even after doctors’ suicides in MP, working hours have not been reduced Concern from Commission to Parliament In August 2025, NMC issued directives to all states to eliminate the mandatory bond requirement. Recently, the Parliamentary Standing Committee (Health) stated in its report that doctors’ duty should be like that of pilots. Both professions are related to saving lives. Reality: According to Dr. Kuldeep Gupta, General Secretary IMA (JDN MP), seniors in clinical branches deliberately assign long duties to juniors. Three cases: Only one hour break between duties Case 1: No separate time even for meals A PG doctor from the Surgery Department at GMC said, “There are 36-hour duties. After giving a 1-hour break, they put us back to work. There’s no separate time even for eating.” Meanwhile, HOD Dr. Arvind Rai says, “It’s only an 8-hour shift. If anyone has a complaint, they can come and meet me.” Case 2: 36-hour duty assigned 3 times in one week A doctor from MGM Gynecology Department said that here 3-2-2 system is followed, meaning in the first week, 36-hour duty is assigned three times. In the remaining two weeks, twice each. “Suicidal thoughts have started coming.” Gynecology HOD Dr. Nitesh Dalal says, “I can only tell after asking the nodal officer.” Case 3: Complaint has been filed with Human Rights Commission A junior resident from the MGM Surgery Department reported that duty shifts exceed 36 hours. When they want to sleep at night, they are assigned to the children’s ward. A complaint has also been filed with the Human Rights Commission regarding this. HOD Dr. Arvind Ghanghoriya says that the complaint has been received and they will investigate. Expert View: Establish accountability, ensure compliance with rules Dr. Lakshya Mittal, Chairperson of United Doctors Front, says that they are receiving calls from junior doctors from several institutions who are quite depressed. They have written to the Union Health Minister demanding monitoring. There is a simple solution to this matter, strict compliance with NMC rules. Accountability should be established, and action should be taken for violations. Their struggle in Maharashtra has borne fruit. There, 12-hour duty shifts are being implemented. Administration takes first steps Dr. Kavita Singh, Dean GMC Bhopal said, ‘We have started duty in shifts in Gynecology. If a complaint comes from any other department, we will take action.’ Dr. Arvind Ghanghoriya, Dean MGM Indore said, ‘This should not happen, but if a complaint has come, we will get it investigated.’