PGI Chandigarh Resident Doctors Grapple with Silent Crisis of Overwork and Mental Strain
In Chandigarh, a silent crisis is intensifying at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI), where resident doctors are confronting severe work pressure, exhaustion, and escalating mental health issues, even as official policies mandate limited duty hours. Institutional guidelines promise a 12-hour workday and a mandatory weekly off, but doctors in wards and emergency services reveal these rules are largely unimplemented in practice.
Work Hour Limits Ignored Amid Staffing Shortages
Resident doctors, speaking anonymously, highlight that heavy patient loads, insufficient staffing, and the ethical imperative to not leave patients unattended routinely force them to exceed prescribed work hours. PGI director Prof Vivek Lal has introduced reforms focused on capped shifts and adequate rest for junior and senior residents, yet residents assert these measures remain confined to paper. "We are told patients cannot be left unattended, and because there are simply not enough doctors to manage the workload, the 12-hour limit is the first thing to be ignored," explained one resident doctor.
PGI annually hosts over 600 junior resident doctors and nearly an equal number of senior residents. While most junior residents complete their training programs, they endure immense psychological and physical strain in the process. Doctors are urgently calling for interventions that go beyond policy announcements, advocating for increased staffing, better workload distribution, and strict enforcement of recovery time between shifts.
Broader Workplace Challenges and Health Impacts
Beyond long hours, residents face additional workplace challenges. "We deal with interpersonal conflicts, face the looming threat of violence from patient attendants, and struggle to balance family expectations and financial pressures," another resident doctor noted. The relentless workload is severely impacting doctors' health, with reports of sleep deprivation and poor nutrition. "There is no time to sleep or rest. I feel constantly sleep-deprived, which affects my focus and attention. There is also no time to eat proper meals," shared a resident.
Administrative Responses and Future Plans
Sources indicate that the PGI administration is aware of these concerns and plans to escalate them to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Deliberations are also underway to increase MD and DM seats, which could lead to a larger intake of resident doctors to alleviate the burden. This move aims to address the root causes of overwork by boosting manpower in critical medical roles.
The situation at PGI Chandigarh underscores a critical need for systemic changes to protect the well-being of healthcare professionals, ensuring they can provide quality care without compromising their own mental and physical health.
