Mumbai, July 20 – Medical services at Mumbai’s JJ Hospital were disrupted on Saturday as resident doctors launched a strike following a suicide attempt by a junior woman doctor from the Department of Paediatrics on July 16. The incident has sent shockwaves through the medical community, raising serious concerns about mental harassment and workplace toxicity.
According to reports, the third-year junior resident allegedly attempted suicide due to prolonged mental harassment, a toxic departmental atmosphere, and a hostile work environment.
The Maharashtra Senior Resident Doctors’ Association (MSRDA) condemned the incident in strong terms, stating that this is not an isolated case but a symptom of a deeper, systemic issue within the department. In a public statement, the MSRDA expressed solidarity with the striking doctors, led by JJH MARD, and issued a stern warning to authorities.
MSRDA’s demands include:
Immediate suspension of the Head of the Paediatrics Department pending investigation
An independent, time-bound probe into the alleged harassment and workplace culture
Psychological support and grievance redressal systems across all departments
A clear assurance from the government that such toxic environments will not be tolerated in any medical institution
Reiterating its zero-tolerance policy on hierarchical bullying and departmental toxicity, the MSRDA reminded the administration that medical institutions must be spaces of healing and growth, not fear and oppression.
“If urgent action is not taken, the system becomes complicit in endangering young medical lives,” the association warned, adding that a statewide protest could follow if their concerns are ignored.
“Let us not wait for another young life to be lost before we act,” MSRDA stated, urging swift intervention to prevent further tragedies.
