Young Doctor in Japan Dies by Suicide after Working 100 Consecutive Days, Family Demands Systemic Changes
Kobe, Japan – Tragedy struck the medical community when a young doctor at the Konan Medical Center took his own life after enduring excessive work hours and accumulating over 200 hours of overtime in just one month. This devastating incident has once again raised concerns about overwork, known as “karoshi,” within Japan’s healthcare system.
The doctor, who was assigned duties normally given to senior physicians, found himself overwhelmed with the demands of his workload. The resulting long working hours and immense pressure ultimately led to his battle with depression. Shockingly, the amount of overtime logged by the young doctor exceeded the threshold for workers’ compensation for mental disorders.
The doctor’s family is now calling for urgent changes within the health system to prevent similar tragedies. In an emotional interview, his mother revealed that her son had become pale and had expressed dissatisfaction with his workload in the period leading up to his death. She believes that proper measures and support should have been in place to protect her son’s mental health.
However, the Konan Medical Center stands accused of negligence in preventing overwork-related deaths. Despite labor laws being tightened in 2018, the issue of overwork remains prevalent across various sectors in Japan, with healthcare being particularly affected. This tragic incident highlights the urgent need for stricter regulations and better work-life balance in the medical field.
In response to the allegations, the hospital refutes the claims of overworking the young doctor and argues that the logged overtime hours include designated “self-study time.” The hospital chief denies imposing excessive workloads on employees and states that they do not recognize any wrongdoing. However, skepticism surrounds these claims as the doctor’s immense workload and subsequent mental health struggles raise questions about the hospital’s duty of care.
As the nation mourns the loss of yet another individual to karoshi, there is a growing demand for lasting change within the healthcare sector. Many believe that proper staffing levels, realistic work expectations, and improved mental health support are essential to prevent future tragedies. The heartbreaking loss of this young doctor serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action to address this prevalent issue and protect the well-being of medical professionals.
