Shimla, August 23: In a significant move, the state government has directed that resident doctors in medical colleges will no longer be required to work shifts of more than 12 hours, including on-call duty. This new directive, issued on Thursday, addresses long-standing concerns about excessive workload and mental stress on resident doctors at institutions such as Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) in Shimla, Chamiyana, Tanda and other state medical colleges.
The order states that the principals of these medical colleges will adjust the duty rosters in keeping with the new guidelines. Additionally, the colleges will have to submit a compliance report to the government within a week. The change comes after decades of resident doctors working grueling 36-hour shifts, causing them immense mental distress due to the constant workload.
The government has also stressed in the new orders that the shifts of resident doctors should end before 7:00 pm for safety reasons. This adjustment has been made in response to growing concerns about the safety of medical professionals, especially after a heinous crime at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College, which prompted resident doctors across the country to raise concerns about their working hours and safety.
A resident doctor commented, “This system was age-old, and changing it will provide much-needed relief. The mental burden caused by excessive work will also be reduced to a great extent.”
This decision comes in the wake of widespread protests by doctors following the tragic murder of a resident doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College. The incident highlighted the urgent need for reform, with doctors across the country demanding changes to working hours and better safety measures. The government’s latest orders reflect a direct response to these demands, aimed at protecting the well-being and safety of medical professionals in the state.
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