EXCLUSIVE: Delhi’s Resident Doctors Overburdened, Undervalued — Inside the Crumbling Backbone of India’s Public Healthcare
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Delhi’s premier government hospitals — long hailed as the bulwarks of India’s public healthcare system — are in the midst of a growing crisis. But the crisis isn’t just about overburdened wards or a shortage of beds. It’s about the doctors themselves — the resident doctors — who are working tirelessly in deteriorating conditions, often without clean toilets, safe restrooms, or even basic accommodation.
From the renowned All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to Dr Ram Manohar Lohia (RML), Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB), Lok Nayak (LNJP) and Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) hospitals, young resident doctors have raised serious alarms over collapsing infrastructure, lack of hygiene, unsafe premises, and physically exhausting shifts of up to 36–48 hours, without any support system in place.
Dr RML Hospital: No Bedsheets, No Security, No Relief
Located in the heart of New Delhi, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital is a critical pillar of India’s public healthcare. It caters to over 1.2 million outpatients annually. However, doctors at the institution say they are being pushed to the edge.
“We work 24–36 hour shifts, but don’t have clean toilets or basic restrooms. Female doctors suffer the most,” said members of the Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA).
According to doctors, dedicated Doctor Duty Rooms (DDRs) are either lacking or unusable. Many lack basic hygiene, safety, or even lighting. The neuro-ortho-trauma passage remains pitch dark at night, a security threat especially for female residents. Surveillance infrastructure is poor — no CCTV coverage and inadequate security personnel, even in high-risk departments like Psychiatry.
A hospital official claimed construction work is underway and dismissed concerns about "dark spots" and poor security as exaggerated.
AIIMS Delhi: No Hostels, Endless Shifts
Even at AIIMS Delhi, India’s most prestigious medical institute, the problems run deep — although of a different kind.
“Shifts that go beyond 24 hours are exhausting. We need a better support system, but the real problem is lack of accommodation,” said Dr Vinay Anees, former RDA President, AIIMS.
Resident doctors who travel from across India are forced to rent rooms in nearby areas like Gautam Nagar, because AIIMS does not have enough hostel facilities. Despite approvals from the Ministry of Health, the proposed expansion of hostels has not materialised.
In contrast, safety and security at AIIMS were commended by doctors, with CCTV infrastructure and controlled access systems rated satisfactory. The hospital administration declined to issue an official response.
Lok Nayak Hospital: 48-Hour Shifts, Fire Hazards, Broken ACs
LNJP Hospital, Delhi’s largest government-run medical facility, has 45 DDRs — one for each ward. But quality and safety vary widely.
Some DDRs near operating theatres are relatively maintained, but others are in deplorable condition: tobacco-stained walls, leaking water dispensers, broken washrooms, and missing bedsheets.
“Casualty DDR has an oxygen panel right next to an electric board — a fire hazard,” revealed a resident doctor. Despite two complaints, no action has been taken.
The absence of gender-specific DDRs continues to inconvenience female doctors, who have no dedicated space to change uniforms or rest in privacy. Air conditioners often remain dysfunctional and mattresses are not replaced regularly.
The administration blames the junior doctors themselves for lack of cleanliness, while claiming that senior residents’ rooms are "clean and in order."
GTB Hospital: Crumbling Walls, Filthy Toilets, No Water Coolers
Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, which houses over 1,700 beds, is no better off. DDRs here suffer from peeling paint, non-functional fans, lack of ventilation, filthy toilets, and unusable washrooms. Many rooms lack coolers or ACs, and the air inside is often suffocating.
“Even bathing is a struggle. There's no hygiene, no support, and barely any sanitation staff,” said Dr Rajat Sharma, President of the RDA at GTB.
He emphasised that doctors are asking for basic dignity, not luxury. “We are overworked, underpaid, and now, overlooked. A functioning restroom should not be too much to ask,” Sharma added.
Officials at GTB claimed the washrooms are cleaned twice daily and denied any negligence in AC maintenance. But doctors say ground reality tells a different story.
DDU Hospital: Overburdened and Understocked
Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, with 640 beds, sees over 7,000 patients daily, but its staffing and supply chain remain bottlenecks.
“We’re understaffed. If a doctor resigns, hiring takes a month. Others are forced into back-to-back 36-hour shifts,” said Dr Vipin Kumar Madhogarhia, Orthopaedic Surgeon and RDA Chairperson.
While CCTV cameras and dedicated toilets have recently been installed — a welcome step — the shortage of essential medicines and equipment continues to disrupt clinical care.
“The equipment we need is often missing, or medicines run out. It affects patient care and burdens the doctors,” he added.
The administration did not respond to repeated queries from TheTrendingPeople.com.
Healthcare at a Breaking Point?
The crisis affecting Delhi’s resident doctors is not isolated — it is systemic and reflects institutional apathy, say healthcare experts.
Dr Deepa Verma, a senior healthcare policy analyst, told TheTrendingPeople.com:
“Resident doctors form the spine of India’s public healthcare. When they are denied sleep, sanitation, and safety, it reflects on patient care and erodes the future of medical talent.”
With Delhi hospitals managing tens of thousands of patients daily, the frontline doctors need more than just praise — they need structural support.
Final Thoughts
While India dreams of world-class public health infrastructure, its resident doctors — the real warriors of the system — are left battling crumbling buildings, sleepless nights, and institutional neglect.
Their voices are clear: they are not demanding luxury — they are asking for dignity. A clean bed, a functional toilet, and a few hours of uninterrupted rest — these are not entitlements but essentials for those working 36-hour shifts to save lives.
As the patient queues get longer, and the diseases more complex, will India finally invest in those who stand between life and death — or will it let them break?