IHC seeks Pakistan Medical and Dental Council view on doctors’ working hours

The Islamabad High Court has instructed the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council to investigate the excessive working hours faced by doctors in Pakistan, deeming a 102-hour work week as inhumane. Justice Raja Inaam Ameen Minhas heard the case and transformed the writ petition into a representation for the PMDC's consideration. The court directed the council to present recommendations to both federal and provincial governments for necessary action.

The Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP) has highlighted the dire consequences of extended duty hours on both doctors and patients. According to the CPSP's submission, doctors' psychomotor functions deteriorate after 18 hours of work, equivalent to a blood alcohol level of 0.05, and worsen to a level of 0.1 after 24 hours. The CPSP asserts that fatigued doctors make more errors compared to well-rested, vigilant professionals.

The organization recommends reducing working hours to facilitate a healthy work-life balance and guarantee secure patient care. The CPSP cited international practices, including a 48-hour maximum average weekly limit set by the European Union, 80 hours per week in the US, and 48 hours in India. The document also noted that there is a lack of uniformity in enforcing these regulations, with environmental factors like hot weather and inadequate workspace contributing to fatigue.