New Delhi, March 16, 2025: The United Doctors Front (UDF) has reignited a burning issue—inhuman duty hours for Resident Doctors.
Despite clear directives from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) since 1992, medical institutions across India continue to exploit young doctors, pushing them to extreme physical and mental limits.
What’s the Problem?
As per the 1992 Central Residency Scheme, Resident Doctors should not work more than 48 hours a week or more than 12 hours in a single stretch.
But reality is far from this. Overburdened doctors are collapsing on duty, suffering from burnout, and making critical errors due to exhaustion.
The tipping point? The horrifying case of a female Resident Doctor at RG Kar Medical College, Kolkata, who was raped and murdered after an inhuman 36-hour duty.
Even the Supreme Court has termed such working hours "inhuman." Yet, institutions continue to ignore all warnings.
UDF's Demands for Change
1️⃣ Strict implementation of the 1992 MoHFW directives.
2️⃣ Annual affidavit submission by all medical institutions to the National Medical Commission (NMC).
3️⃣ Public display of duty-hour regulations in every medical college.
4️⃣ Heavy penalties for institutions violating the rules.
5️⃣ Accountability mechanisms to ensure enforcement.
“We have formally approached the PMO, NHRC, and all State Authorities to intervene,” said Dr. Lakshya Mittal, National President, UDF.
Doctors Take the Fight Online!
Frustrated by years of ignorance, doctors are now storming social media with #StopDoctorExploitation #FixDutyHours #DoctorsAreNotMachines
