Dehradun, May 22, 2024 

Outraged by the tragic suicide of Dr. Divesh Garg, a resident doctor in the Department of Pediatrics at SGRR Medical College in Dehradun, major resident doctors' associations across India have called for a nationwide protest. The protest, led by prominent groups including the United Doctors Front Association (UDFA), the Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA), and the Indian Medical Association Junior Doctors Network (IMA JDN), highlights the dire working conditions faced by medical residents.

In a coordinated effort to bring attention to their plight, resident doctors are organizing candlelight marches at medical colleges throughout the country. The demonstrators are demanding significant changes to improve their working conditions. Key demands include fixed working hours, guaranteed weekly time off, the freedom to choose their accommodation and dining options, and justice for Dr. Garg.

The message posted from official  handle of FORDA -

Dr Lakshya Mittal National President of UDFA says,"Dr. Divesh Garg's suicide is not an isolated incident; many young doctors have been driven to extreme measures due to relentless working hours and harassment during their postgraduate training. These issues are exacerbated in private medical colleges, where stipends are often insufficient and often delayed and students are harassed for thesis submission."

The protesting doctors stress that their demands are not only for their own well-being but also for the betterment of the healthcare system as a whole. They argue that overworked and harassed doctors cannot provide the level of care patients deserve.

Dr Raj Shekhar Yadav, State Convenor of United Private Clinics & Hospitals Association of Rajasthan (UPCHAR) who is vocal about rights of Doctors says,"Resident doctors play a crucial role in patient care, yet subjecting them to excessively long working hours compromises their well-being and jeopardizes patient safety. Implementing regulations to ensure reasonable working hours for resident doctors is imperative to safeguard their health and the quality of care they provide."

The medical community and the public await a response from the authorities as the protests continue to gain momentum across the nation.