AIIMS Jodhpur protest continues as routine patient services remain suspended
Resident doctors at AIIMS Jodhpur continued their protest into Saturday, September 26, after talks with the institute administration failed to produce a complete settlement. Routine outpatient consultations, elective operations and non-emergency procedures remain suspended until further orders, creating significant disruption for patients who depend on the institute from across western Rajasthan.
The protest began after Dr Rajnaresh Yadav, a 31-year-old first-year postgraduate resident in anaesthesiology and critical care, was found unconscious in a doctors’ washroom on September 22 while on duty. He was taken to the emergency department and declared dead.
Police suspect suicide and are examining the circumstances, including forensic evidence and the doctor’s mobile phone. No suicide note had been reported as recovered, and the post-mortem and investigative findings had not established the final cause or the factors preceding his death as of the latest available update.
Protesting residents have alleged that excessive workloads, prolonged shifts and inadequate welfare safeguards contributed to an unsafe working environment. These are allegations and institutional concerns raised by the doctors; they have not been established as the cause of Dr Yadav’s death. The police investigation and an internal inquiry are continuing.
Which hospital services are affected?
An operational order issued by AIIMS Jodhpur suspended routine OPD services, elective surgery and other non-emergency procedures. The formal plan keeps trauma and emergency care, intensive and critical care, inpatient wards, urgent and emergency operations, labour-room services, obstetric emergencies, blood-bank facilities and essential laboratory, diagnostic and radiology services functioning.
There are, however, indications that emergency capacity is also under pressure. Barmer MP Ummeda Ram Beniwal said the protest had severely affected both emergency and OPD services. AIIMS Jodhpur has not publicly provided figures showing emergency staffing levels, patient waiting times or the number of cases diverted. The confirmed position is therefore that emergency services remain officially open, while their practical capacity may be constrained during the continuing protest.
What are the resident doctors demanding?
The residents have asked the institute for a public acknowledgement and apology, along with transparent disclosure of measures intended to prevent similar deaths. They are demanding ₹5 crore in financial assistance for Dr Yadav’s family, payment of any pending dues, insurance claims and other entitlements, and broader institutional support for the family.
They have also demanded accountability from the administration and the resignation of the institute’s Executive Director. Additional demands include formal recognition of the Resident Doctors’ Association and students’ union, regulation of duty hours and workloads, stronger welfare and grievance systems, and safeguards for residents and students.
By Friday, the protesting doctors said the administration had accepted their demand concerning recognition of the resident doctors’ association. Discussions were continuing on the remaining demands, and the residents had not announced a return to routine duties.
Administration announces two inquiries
AIIMS Jodhpur has expressed condolences and appealed to the residents to end the strike, warning that prolonged disruption could affect inpatient and outpatient care across the region. Executive Director Dr Goverdhan Dutt Puri visited the protest site and attempted to speak with the doctors, but the protest continued.
The institute has constituted an internal inquiry committee headed by the Dean Academic to examine the circumstances surrounding the death. Police are conducting a separate investigation. A second institutional committee has been formed to examine grievances concerning working conditions, and resident representatives have been invited to submit recommendations.
The administration has said the doctors’ concerns are under consideration and has promised an early resolution. Its available communication, however, did not provide a public deadline for the inquiries or specify immediate measures such as revised duty-hour limits, mandatory rest periods or expanded counselling arrangements.
Guidance for patients
Patients with routine appointments, follow-up consultations or planned procedures should confirm their department’s status with AIIMS Jodhpur before beginning a long journey. Elective patients should not assume that a previously scheduled consultation or operation will proceed while the suspension remains in force.
People experiencing a medical emergency should not delay seeking care. They may approach the AIIMS emergency service, but families should be prepared for possible delays and consider the nearest functioning emergency department if timely treatment is unavailable. Patients should carry their medical records, prescriptions, test results and current medicines when seeking alternative care.
Support is available: Anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or severe emotional distress can contact India’s 24-hour Tele-MANAS mental-health service by calling 14416 or 1800-89-14416. An immediate threat to life requires urgent emergency assistance.
