DMER Gujarat Asks Medical Colleges to Reduce Workload of First-Year Resident Doctors

Ahmedabad: The Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER), Gujarat, has instructed all government medical colleges in the state to improve the working conditions of first-year resident doctors.

The directive was issued by the Additional Director after the parents of postgraduate medical students submitted a representation alleging that first-year residents were being made to work long hours with little sleep, leading to increased mental stress.

In a communication to the heads of departments, the DMER directed institutions to strictly follow the National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines governing the duty schedules of resident doctors.

As per the guidelines, postgraduate resident doctors must be given one weekly off, and duty rosters should ensure they receive six to eight hours within every 24-hour period for rest, sleep and personal care.

The DMER also asked medical colleges to ensure that junior doctors are not subjected to mental or emotional harassment. Senior residents have been advised to treat first-year residents with respect and maintain a supportive work environment, while avoiding public reprimands or humiliation.

The department further directed that if deficiencies are noticed in a resident doctor’s clinical work, heads of units or departments should counsel them privately and provide guidance for improvement instead of criticising them in public. DeshGujarat