Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh High Court has directed both the central and state governments, apart from the National Medical Commission (NMC) to file their counter affidavits with details of the stipulated working hours for post-graduate resident doctors in both the government medical colleges and teaching hospitals of Andhra Pradesh.
A division bench headed by Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice Challa Gunaranjan held a hearing on a PIL (public interest litigation) filed by Dr. Ala Venkateswarlu on Wednesday.
The petitioner mentioned how the young medical professionals are being compelled to work continuously ranging from 24 to 36 hours, often without any weekly holiday or adequate rest or compensatory off-duty.
The petitioner mentioned that such excessive and unregulated working hours would not only cause exhaustion but also pose serious risk to both the doctors’ well-being and patient’s safety.
The PIL mentioned that such working hours are arbitrary and unconstitutional. They violate Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India.
Petitioner’s counsel Lakshmi Harish requested the court to limit the duty to eight hours per day, ensure structured duty rosters with mandatory rest periods, and frame uniform guidelines that comply with statutory regulations.
The High Court observed that due to shortage of doctors, there is pressure on the existing doctors in government hospitals.
Later, the court adjourned the matter for next hearing to June 17.
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