Mumbai: Mental Health Measures Promised for Struggling Resident Doctors in State
In response to mounting concerns over the mental health of resident doctors in state-run medical college hospitals, authorities have pledged to establish mental health assessment and redressal committees. These committees aim to address the immense pressure faced by resident doctors and prevent instances of mistreatment, ultimately working towards preventing suicides among medical professionals.
The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) has been at the forefront of advocating for the implementation of mental health support systems. Resident doctors often face grueling round-the-clock duties and occasional mistreatment by senior doctors or faculty, contributing to their deteriorating mental well-being. Recognizing the urgency of the matter, the Directorate of Medical Education & Research (DMER) has engaged in discussions with MARD to find a viable solution.
During the latest round of meetings held on Monday, it was agreed that mental health redressal committees would be established at both the college and state levels. Dr. Sarbik De, the vice-president of MARD, highlighted the significance of these committees, stating, These committees will be multi-departmental, allowing students to report issues. They can also conduct anonymous feedback sessions periodically, enabling residents to report instances of exploitation.
Disturbing statistics presented in the Lok Sabha earlier this year revealed that there have been 11 suicides among resident doctors in Maharashtra over the past five years. Dr. De emphasized the importance of the redressal committees, stating, These committees can identify red flags before resident doctors take any extreme measures. However, it should be noted that all assurances made thus far are verbal. Dr. Abhijit Helge, a representative of MARD, expressed the need for accountability, saying, We will use the minutes of the meeting to hold them accountable in case their assurances do not materialize within a week.
One of the key concerns raised by MARD is the hefty fine of Rs 20 lakh that resident doctors in the state are subjected to if they wish to drop out. MARD has argued that this unreasonable financial burden exacerbates the mental health issues faced by struggling doctors. Dr. Helge called for the formation of a separate committee, comprised of mental health experts, which would assess whether fines can be waived on humanitarian grounds, thereby helping to alleviate the pressures leading to doctor suicides.
The well-being and mental health of medical professionals are essential for the overall quality of healthcare delivery. These promising initiatives to establish mental health assessment and redressal committees in state-run medical college hospitals demonstrate a step forward in addressing the challenges faced by resident doctors. As MARD and DMER continue to work together towards implementing these measures, it is hoped that the mental health support systems will help create a safer and more supportive environment for doctors, ultimately benefiting patients and the medical community as a whole.
