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Doctors' Duty Hours: Supreme Court to Hear PIL
23 Jul
Summary
- PIL seeks implementation of 1992 Residency Scheme in Supreme Court.
- Demand for maximum 48-hour work week and eight-hour duty days.
- Focus on resident doctors' welfare and patient safety concerns.
The United Doctors Front (UDF) has initiated a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court, which is scheduled for oral mentioning on July 23, 2026. The core of the petition is the urgent demand for the implementation of the Residency Scheme, originally established in 1992.
This legal action specifically targets the enforcement of guidelines concerning resident doctors' working conditions. The UDF is advocating for strict limits on duty hours, proposing a maximum of 48 hours weekly and an eight-hour workday, alongside mandatory weekly offs and sufficient rest periods.
The PIL underscores the critical role resident doctors play in healthcare institutions, managing patient care, emergency duties, and academic training. Prolonged working hours are identified as a significant concern affecting both medical professionals' well-being and the quality of patient care.
Through this PIL, the UDF seeks not only accountability from healthcare institutions but also a robust mechanism to ensure compliance with regulated working hours. This effort aligns with broader discussions on improving medical workforce conditions, ensuring workplace safety, and institutional responsibility towards doctors in training.
