Check mental health of doctors: MUHS

Mumbai: The Maharashtra University of Health Science (MUHS) has directed government medical colleges to carry out annual mental health check-ups of resident doctors. Dr Payal Tadvi’s suicide has drawn attention to the mental health challenges faced by student doctors.

However, despite previous notifications, there has been no counselling or sensitisation system in government medical colleges. “Despite the 2016 notification directing annual mental health check-ups for student doctors, no system is in place in government medical colleges,” said Dr Kalyani Dongre, president of Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) said.

While noting the lack of mental health check-up facility in campuses, Dr Dongare added that the association has been planning to start a comprehensive counseling and sensitisation programme every six months. She also proposed that all government and civic-run hospitals must hire clinical psychologists for doctors.

“It is sad that mental health of doctors are neglected. If counseling was been done on time, we could have prevent  many tragedies,” Dr Sagar Mundada, former president of MARD said.