Two doctors working in Chennai’s hospitals were found dead in a span of two days after completing long hours of shifts. On Sunday, December 10, Dr Maruthupandian, a superspeciality postgraduate from Madras Medical College (MMC) was found dead at his place of residence. On Monday, December 11, Dr Solaisamy from ESI Hospital in Ayanavaram, Chennai, died after returning from work. Both the doctors were allegedly overworked and had died after returning from 24-hour-long work shifts.

Dr Shanthi AR, Secretary, Doctors Association for Social Equality (DASE) said both the doctors were overworked and suffered heart attacks as a result of extreme stress. “This is a result of the system overworking doctors because of understaffed hospitals. We have come to know that Dr Maruthupandian was made to do data operation work in the hospital because Madras Medical College is understaffed,” she said.

Dr Maharajan, a pediatrician from Chennai, in a post on X (formerly Twitter) which has now been removed, said Dr Maruthupandian, who was 30, and his wife were expecting a child. “Lot of young doctors die across the country every day due to stress and work toxicity. But no one is trying to make the lives of postgraduates happier,” he said. Dr Ravindranath GR from DASE also requested the state government to take action to prevent exploitation of doctors and medical students. 

Read: TN govt doctors struggle to maintain health index rank amid heavy workload

In October 2023, TNM reported on how doctors are struggling to maintain the health index rank of Tamil Nadu as long working hours, increase in workload, understaffed hospitals and inadequately staffed medical colleges have resulted in severe stress. It is to be noted that vacancies in government hospitals have not been filled despite having more than 1,000 doctors eligible for promotions due to an interim stay order passed by the Madras High Court earlier this year.