A taskforce from the National Medical Commission (NMC) highlighted the health risks posed by extended duty hours for healthcare professionals, recommending that resident doctors work no more than 74 hours per week and receive a weekly day off. The taskforce emphasized the importance of seven to eight hours of sleep daily for medical students and urged that leave requests be reasonably considered. Collaborative planning of duty hours among department heads, faculty, and residents is essential, and hospitals should hire additional staff when needed to manage increased workloads.
The taskforce stressed that postgraduates and interns should focus on education rather than filling staffing gaps. To alleviate stress, medical colleges should enforce anti-ragging measures, establish comfortable rest areas, and ensure the availability of nutritious meals and hydration. It also recommended a 10-day annual vacation for medics and the implementation of a gatekeeper training program to identify and support at-risk individuals.
Mental health education should be integrated into the curriculum, with regular training for staff and students. The report called for abolishing fees for repeating semesters, introducing a fair grading system, and offering supplementary exams to reduce stress. It also suggested announcing exam results by roll numbers for privacy.
To address healthcare needs and reduce student migration, the taskforce proposed expanding postgraduate seats and abolishing the current seat-leaving fees. Additionally, comprehensive orientation programs for new students, a 24/7 support system, and free campus-based healthcare services were recommended to enhance student well-being
Comments
Post a Comment