Medical students’ suicides raise academic stress concerns

Two postgraduate medical students at Andhra Medical College (AMC) died by suicide within a week of each other, sending shockwaves through the campus and reigniting debate about academic stress in medical education.

P. Sailaja, a final-year PG student in General Medicine, reportedly died by suicide on September 24. Family members suspected that career-related pressure had contributed to her decision. The III Town police registered a case and launched an inquiry. Students noted that Sailaja had faced considerable academic pressure ahead of her examinations and had earlier taken a break during her undergraduate course owing to similar apprehensions.

In a separate incident, Y. Sravani, a first-year ENT postgraduate student from Hyderabad, was found dead at her rented house in Visakhapatnam on September 28. Police suspect she died on September 27. A suicide note recovered from the scene stated that no one was responsible and cited personal reasons. Preliminary investigations indicated that she was reluctant to continue the course.

Denying rumours of harassment on campus, AMC Principal Dr. Sandhya Devi said Sravani had asked for her certificates on Saturday to discontinue the course, citing personal reasons. She was advised to collect them on Monday.

“She never disclosed the exact reason, stating only that it was personal. All PGs had dinner together, but, unfortunately, she took this extreme step,” Dr. Sandhya Devi said, adding that the college maintains support mechanisms for stressed students.

Sravani’s mother alleged that her daughter had faced severe stress and had expressed a wish to return home to Hyderabad. Police investigations into both incidents are ongoing.