For the first time in the 14-year history of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Jodhpur, resident medical staff initiated a massive work boycott against the hospital administration. The unrest, which began following the death of first-year resident Dr Rajnaresh Yadav, escalated into a full-blown strike on Thursday. Around 450 resident physicians withdrew from outpatient department (OPD) services to stage a sit-in demonstration, demanding the resignation of the institute's director. The collective action severely disrupted healthcare delivery across the complex. Approximately 8,000 visiting patients could not receive routine medical consultations, and roughly 80 previously scheduled elective surgeries had to be postponed.
Critical Care Maintained by Senior Faculty
While elective and outpatient departments remained paralyzed, critical lifelines continued functioning through the direct intervention of senior doctors and faculty members. Trauma, emergency units, intensive care units (ICU), and patients requiring urgent monitoring were kept fully operational. The protesting resident doctors contend that persistent staff shortages and crushing workloads have plagued the hospital for an extended period. According to their grievances, junior residents are routinely forced to work uninterrupted shifts stretching up to 36 hours. The doctors asserted that complaints regarding poor working conditions and heavy physical stress had been brought to administrative attention earlier as well. Video clips circulating across social media platforms further displayed resident doctors raising questions about unmanageable shift lengths and systemic administrative neglect.
Evening Candle March and Stalemate with Leadership
Dr Rajnaresh Yadav was discovered unresponsive inside a restroom attached to the rest area on Tuesday, with accounts indicating that a syringe was found near him. He later passed away. The exact cause behind his demise remains unverified, pending the release of formal post-mortem examination findings. In response, resident doctors have demanded an uncompromisingly transparent inquiry and public disclosure of all pertinent details. On Thursday morning, demonstrators gathered in the OPD block to stage an open sit-in. Later in the evening, they organized a candle march marching toward the residence of AIIMS Director Dr GD Puri before returning to the protest venue. Although the director visited the agitation site to hold discussions and urge conciliation, the residents refused to yield and maintained their call for his resignation. The grievance committee, senior faculty, and department heads likewise appealed to the striking staff to resume their duties.
Charters of Demands Presented to Administration
The striking medical personnel have put forward a list of explicit demands to hospital authorities. Their conditions encompass an institutional public apology, complete transparency regarding the incident, financial compensation of 5 crore rupees to the family of the deceased doctor, insurance coverage, applicable institutional benefits, and formal administrative recognition for the Resident Doctors Association. In light of the unfolding strike, the AIIMS administration opted to suspend routine OPD operations temporarily until further notice. Crucial services, including emergency surgeries, labor rooms, the blood bank, urgent diagnostics, and critical care units, remain functioning. Meanwhile, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) voiced deep concern regarding the prevailing circumstances.
National Bodies Raise Alarm Over Working Hours
The IMA emphasized the pressing necessity for safe working environments, adequate rest intervals, and institutional mental health backing for medical professionals. Support for the agitation has also emerged from resident doctors stationed at AIIMS Bhopal. Protesting medics noted that the movement extends far beyond a solitary tragic incident, representing deep-rooted frustration over prolonged personnel deficits, unrealistic schedules, and structural dysfunction in duty rosters. While dialogue between senior administrative officials and resident representatives continues, the protest remains active in the absence of a mutually agreeable resolution.
