BHU Junior Doctor's Suicide Attempt Ignites Protest Over Alleged Work Pressure
In a distressing incident at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), a junior resident doctor from the surgery department of the Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS) attempted suicide by overdosing on insulin, leading to widespread protests by fellow junior doctors on Tuesday. The doctors allege that the attempt was driven by immense work pressure and harsh treatment from seniors.
Details of the Incident and Current Condition
The postgraduate student, a native of Samastipur in Bihar, took an overdose of insulin on Thursday and is currently in critical condition, receiving ventilator support in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at BHU's Sir Sundarlal Hospital, located within the Super Speciality Block. She is under the close supervision of a multidisciplinary team of doctors from the medicine, neurology, nephrology, cardiology, and critical care departments, highlighting the severity of her condition.
Protest and Demands by Resident Doctors
Agitated resident doctors have launched a protest, warning that if immediate action is not taken to address their concerns, they may boycott Outpatient Department (OPD) services. They claim that their colleague had been suffering from mental pressure for an extended period due to excessive workload and inappropriate behavior from senior staff. The protesting doctors emphasized that she was not getting adequate rest and was under considerable stress, which they believe led to the suicide attempt.
Key demands from the protesting doctors include:
- A fair and thorough investigation into the incident.
- Appropriate action against those found guilty of misconduct or negligence.
- Significant improvements in work schedules and overall working conditions for resident doctors.
They have threatened to intensify their agitation if these demands are not met promptly, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
Administrative Response and Committee Formation
In response to the crisis, IMS Director Prof. S. N. Shankhwar announced the formation of a committee to investigate the matter. The committee is chaired by Prof. Sanjay Gupta, the dean of the medicine faculty. Prof. Shankhwar stated that action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation report and appealed to the resident doctors to return to their duties while the inquiry is underway.
Additionally, BHU Vice Chancellor Prof. Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi visited the Shatabdi Super Speciality Block to check on the health of the student. He directed the medical team to ensure no shortcomings in her treatment, demonstrating the university's concern over the incident.
This protest highlights ongoing issues of work pressure and mental health among medical professionals in India, calling for systemic changes to prevent such tragedies in the future.
