AIIMS Jodhpur Residents Strike Following Junior Doctor Death, Halting OPD and 80 Surgeries Nearly 450 resident doctors at AIIMS Jodhpur ceased routine duties following the demise of first-year resident Dr Rajnaresh Yadav. The walkout forced the cancellation of roughly 80 scheduled operations and left nearly 8,000 outpatients without consultations. 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. What this means for you The sudden suspension of outpatient departments and planned operations at AIIMS Jodhpur directly disrupts care for thousands of individuals traveling from across the region. • In Jodhpur and surrounding districts: Routine consultations and pre-scheduled elective surgeries stand deferred until further notice. Visiting outpatients should seek local alternative clinics or verify operational updates before traveling to the institute. • For critical and emergency cases: Trauma, emergency units, delivery rooms, and intensive care remain operational under senior medical faculty. Patients requiring life-saving interventions can continue accessing emergency care without disruption. • For resident doctors nationwide: Scrutiny over 36-hour shifts and demanding hospital working environments will intensify across teaching hospitals. Medical bodies and health departments will face renewed pressure to formalize rest hours and mental health resources. • Across tertiary care hospitals: The agitation is drawing solidarity from other medical centers such as AIIMS Bhopal. This shared unrest could prompt administrative reviews of resident duty rosters and staffing deficits across regional institutions. Why this happened The flashpoint was triggered by the unexplained death of a junior colleague against the backdrop of long-standing structural grievances over excessive duty shifts. • The Immediate Trigger: First-year resident Dr Rajnaresh Yadav was discovered unconscious in a duty restroom on Tuesday with a syringe nearby, subsequently passing away. The lack of clarity surrounding the exact circumstances prompted colleagues to demand an immediate and transparent inquiry. • Chronic Workload and Staff Shortages: Resident physicians reported being subjected to gruelling duty rosters lasting up to 36 continuous hours. Protesters maintain that complaints regarding inadequate staffing and acute physical fatigue had been raised previously without administrative remediation. • Failure of De-escalation Talks: Discussions led by AIIMS Director Dr GD Puri failed to reconcile differences as demonstrators insisted on his resignation, financial restitution, and union recognition. Without administrative concessions on their primary charter of demands, the walkout expanded into an indefinite boycott. Questions & Answers 1. Why have resident doctors at AIIMS Jodhpur gone on strike? They walked out following the death of first-year resident Dr Rajnaresh Yadav and ongoing grievances over severe work pressure, including 36-hour shifts. 2. Which hospital services have been disrupted by the agitation? Routine outpatient services have been suspended, impacting approximately 8,000 visiting patients and causing the postponement of about 80 scheduled operations. 3. Are emergency and critical care departments still functional? Yes, trauma, emergency units, intensive care, labor rooms, and life-saving surgeries remain operational under the supervision of senior faculty. 4. Has the cause of Dr Rajnaresh Yadav's death been officially established? The precise cause of death is currently unconfirmed and will only be determined after the post-mortem report is finalized. 5. What specific demands have the protesting residents placed before authorities? They are demanding the resignation of the director, a transparent inquiry, 5 crore rupees in compensation for the family, and official recognition of their association. https://trendkia.com/en/rajasthan/aiims-jodhpur-men-juniyara-doktara-ki-mauta-ke-bada-haratala-bnda-rahi-opd-aura-talin-80-sarjari-38191 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.