Spending sleepless nights & skipping meals to save lives

Time of India

30-06-2025

Ranchi: Behind every person donning a white coat with a stethoscope lies a story of not just care and commitment but also of quiet endurance while saving lives.
These doctors, especially the ones working in emergency care and critical departments, shoulder immense responsibilities often at the cost of their own well-being.
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Despite the physical exhaustion, skipped meals and sleep deprivation, many continue to show up daily at healthcare centres, not only for their patients but also for their own health.
The rigorous routine started right from their MBBS course days when they had to be on long duty hours stretching up to 36 hours.
Sharing how they manage their demanding schedules while trying to maintain physical and mental wellness, doctors working both in govt and private healthcare centres said the key is to maintain discipline, have a proper diet and exercise.
This apart, it is extremely important to carve out small periods of personal time from the busy and chaotic routines, they said.
Dr Ajit Kumar, an advanced laparoscopic surgeon at the district hospital here said, "If you are in the surgery department, emergencies can arise at any moment and even if I'm about to leave for the gym, one call and I have to rush back. When there are emergencies or surgeries and ward rounds, it doesn't leave much room for anything else."
Some doctors said breakfast is often the most important meal of the day and sometimes the only proper food they have the entire day. The HoD of emergency medicine at Raj Hospital, Dr Shyam Prasad, said, "We try to have a heavy breakfast because lunch is often missed or delayed due to rounds or operations. We include seasonal fruits regularly and avoid oily food. We also switch to green tea or black coffee instead of sugary drinks.
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The doctors also spoke about the mental strain that comes with the job. "Work stress is real. Our training teaches us to handle pressure, but counselling patients, dealing with loss and keeping emotions in check daily can affect our mental health," Dr Prasad said.
Another doctor, an oncology surgeon at the Paras Hospital, Gunjesh Kumar, said, "Most days begin at 8 in the morning and often extend beyond 9 at night. But even in this tight schedule, I make sure to dedicate at least 30 to 40 minutes for exercise or a morning walk. It's essential not just for fitness but for mental clarity." The pressure of continuous patient care does take its toll.
Jharkhand, with a population of about 3.25 crore, has around 10,000 doctors. The WHO recommended one doctor per 1,000 people. There is an estimated shortage of about 22,500 doctors, according to latest estimates.