NMC Taskforce Recommends Reduced Duty Hours, Enhanced Mental Health Support for Medics

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 16th August. The National Medical Commission (NMC) taskforce has highlighted the urgent need to address the excessive duty hours and mental health challenges faced by medical students and resident doctors. In its latest report, the taskforce has recommended limiting work hours to 74 per week and ensuring that medics receive at least one day off per week.

Key recommendations include:

Rest and Leave: Medical students should get seven to eight hours of sleep daily. Leave requests must be considered carefully and not denied without due reason.

Duty Hours Planning: Heads of departments should collaborate with faculty and residents to plan duty hours effectively. Increased clinical workloads should be met with additional hiring of senior residents and medical officers, rather than relying on students for staffing.

Anti-Ragging Measures: Strict enforcement of anti-ragging regulations is necessary. Medical colleges should have active anti-ragging cells with severe penalties for offenders.

Vacations and Rest Areas: The taskforce suggests granting a 10-day vacation annually to students and ensuring comfortable rest areas, nutritious meals, and hydration facilities during duty hours.

Gatekeeper Training: Implement a gatekeeper training program across medical colleges to identify and support at-risk individuals, supported by local protocols and psychiatric departments.

Mental Health Education: Incorporate mental health education into curricula through lectures, workshops, and online training. Regular training for faculty, students, and administration should cover stress management and counselling techniques.

Assessment and Grading: Propose abolishing fees for repeating semesters, introduce supplementary exams, and offer a mix of grading systems to alleviate academic stress. Transparent grading and independent appeals processes are essential.

Student Support Systems: Establish a 24/7 support system, such as the TeleMANAS initiative, for mental health issues. Appoint at least two counsellors per 500 students and provide free diagnostics and treatment within campuses.

Orientation and Family Involvement: Conduct comprehensive orientation programs for new students and involve family members to enhance understanding and support for medics.

Grievance Redressal: Set up a national portal for grievance redress to handle complaints efficiently and securely.

The report emphasizes that medical colleges must adopt these recommendations to improve the well-being and efficiency of medical students and staff, addressing both mental health and academic pressures.