In a deeply unfortunate incident, a 25-year-old doctor, Dr. Navdeep Singh, a postgraduate resident from the Radio-diagnosis Department at Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC), was found dead in his room in Central Delhi. His death has sparked widespread shock and concern, particularly given his stellar academic achievements. Dr. Singh secured All India Rank 1 in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for Undergraduates (NEET-UG) in 2017, following which he completed his MBBS at MAMC. He was currently pursuing his MD in Radiology at the same institution.
The circumstances surrounding Dr. Singh’s death are unclear, as no suicide note was found at the scene. However, the Delhi Police have confirmed that no signs of foul play were detected. The doctor’s body was discovered by a friend sent by his father after several failed attempts to reach him by phone. Upon arriving at Dr. Singh’s residence at a PG in Parsi Anjuman, the friend found the door locked from the inside. After breaking it open, he found Dr. Singh’s lifeless body. The police were called immediately, and an inquest is underway to determine the exact cause of death. The body will be handed over to Dr. Singh’s family in Punjab following the autopsy.
Dr. Singh hailed from Sri Muktsar Sahib in Punjab, where his father is a principal at a government school. His brother is also pursuing a medical degree in Chandigarh. The tragic news has sent shockwaves through the medical community, particularly at MAMC. In a statement issued by the Resident Doctors Association (RDA) at MAMC, the community expressed deep sorrow: “With a very heavy heart, we mourn the untimely and tragic demise of our beloved postgraduate resident, Dr. Navdeep Singh, of the batch 2023, Department of Radio-diagnosis, MAMC. His presence will be profoundly missed, and his memory will forever remain in our hearts. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time. May his soul rest in peace.”
Dr. Singh’s death adds to a growing number of suicides among medical students and professionals in India. According to data from the National Medical Commission (NMC), between 2018 and 2022, a total of 122 medical students took their own lives—58 of whom were postgraduate students like Dr. Singh. The alarming rate of suicides in the medical field has raised serious questions about the mental health and emotional well-being of healthcare workers, who often face immense pressure from both academic and personal challenges.
The tragic case has drawn public attention and fueled discussions on social media about the systemic issues affecting the mental health of medical professionals in India. Health activist Dr. Dhruv Chauhan, voicing his concerns on X (formerly Twitter), questioned the country’s medical system, calling for urgent reforms. He emphasized the need for regular mental health check-ups, accessible grievance portals, and a helpline specifically for doctors. "The suicide of Dr. Navdeep Singh should make everyone question what is so horrifically wrong with the medical system of the country that this profession has become number 1 in terms of suicides," Dr. Chauhan wrote. He stressed that it is a collective failure, attributing the loss of Dr. Singh to the lack of adequate mental health resources for medical professionals.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Ankur Deka/MSM)
