The tragic death of Divesh Garg, a 26-year-old first-year pediatric resident at Shri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Medical and Health Sciences in Uttarakhand, has sparked outrage and raised serious concerns about the working conditions and alleged harassment faced by junior doctors in private medical institutions.
According to Garg’s family, relentless harassment by his professors, including demands for bribes and gruelling work hours, led him to take his own life. Garg’s father alleges that a professor even demanded 5 lakh to pass his son. He also claims that his son was subjected to humiliating treatment in front of patients and made to work 36-hour shifts even while battling a high fever.
The incident has prompted protests and calls for justice, with hashtags like #JusticeForDrDiveshGarg trending on social media. Students and PG doctors have gathered at the hospital premises to demand action and address the concerns raised by Garg’s death. The police have initiated action against three professors, including the head of the Department of Pediatrics, under section 306 of the IPC. However, investigations are ongoing, and the cause of death is yet to be conclusively determined.
The incident has reignited discussions about the working conditions and mental health support for junior doctors. It has raised concerns about the ‘toxic’ work culture in some private medical institutions and the impact it can have on the well-being of young doctors. The institute has pledged cooperation with the police investigation and formed an interim enquiry committee, but concerns persist about the need for systemic changes to address the issues faced by junior doctors.
