Senator Rocío Corona Nakamura, of the Green Party, called for actions to protect the physical and emotional integrity of resident physicians in the face of the pressure, grueling schedules, and even undignified treatment they sometimes suffer in the practice of their profession.
The senator emphasized that resident physicians “are professionals who shoulder a large part of the functioning of the Mexican hospital system, attend emergencies, anesthetize patients, face death and life every day while their mental health deteriorates and their dignity at work is trampled on.”
He cited as an example the recent case of Nicole Stark Carrillo, an anesthesiology resident at IMSS Clinic 46 in Jalisco, who died on September 16 after collapsing during her work shift in the operating room, regaining consciousness, continuing to work, and then losing consciousness again, never to wake up.
She asserted that this is not an isolated case, but rather “a reflection of a system that has become insensitive to the exhaustion, pressure, and inhumane conditions experienced by thousands of medical residents in Mexico.” He noted that so far in 2025, three medical residents have lost their lives in the line of duty: Dr. Abraham Reyes in León, Dr. Miguel García in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, and recently Nicole Stark Carrillo in Jalisco.
Senador Rocío Corona Nakamura, of the Green Party of Mexico
“Three stories that should shock our consciences, each one representing what is experienced in the country’s hospitals: workdays exceeding 36 hours without sleep, continuous shifts, lack of rest, harassment, humiliation, and emotional pressure that claims lives,” the senator emphasized.
Finally, she insisted that this is an issue that should not be taken lightly, and asserted the urgent need to implement protocols to prevent extreme exhaustion, guarantee mandatory breaks, secure reporting mechanisms, medical care, and institutional oversight that protects the physical and emotional integrity of the resident physicians who dedicate their lives to saving and protecting the health and lives of hundreds of people.
