New Delhi: A number of causes are pushing doctors of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) into the psychiatric ward of the institute. Some students are even trying to commit suicide due to increasing workload and stress. During the last week, five students have been admitted for the treatment of their mental health. Moreover, A junior doctor from anaesthesia department tried to end his life last week, but he could be saved by fellow doctors.
The senior faculty and Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) had demanded that the administration appoint counsellors who can help doctors in need, also there must be a helpline. The doctors further alleged that the demands were not fulfilled. Dr Harjit Singh Bhatti, president of RDA at AIIMS, approached the institute’s director, Dr Randeep Guleria and had demanded healthy environment at the workplace.
“For a very long time, we have been demanding counsellors and one helpline number where we can share our problems but these demands have not been fulfilled. Also, there is a serious problem of lack of hostels on the campus. After working long hours, when doctors visit their rented accommodation outside the AIIMS, there is a feeling of loneliness. Here inside the campus, at least we can sit together and talk with others after work,” said Dr Bhatti, according to a report by India Today.
Hostels at AIIMS are ready to move in, but the doctors were not shifted there, the sources at AIIMS said. Without being identified, a senior professor of psychiatry department told “I myself have seen and admitted at least two doctors in the past two weeks. One of them has been discharged now and the rest are being treated. There could be many issues such as lifestyle, work stress factor, acceptance from the administration, cultural issues, sexual, depression and anxiety.”
“Over the years, working standards at AIIMS have improved. However, the real issue that seems to bother our doctors is how to handle the work pressure and cope up with the difficult situation.” He added that it’s good that doctors are coming forward now for getting help.