Himachal Pradesh News
IGMC Shimla News : Doctors Warn of Statewide Strike from December 27 Over IGMC Senior Resident’s Termination
Medical bodies in Himachal Pradesh have warned of a statewide strike from December 27 after the termination of an IGMC senior resident, citing safety concerns and demanding withdrawal of the government order.
A day after the government terminated the services of Dr Raghav Nirula, a Senior Resident at Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC), Shimla, for allegedly assaulting a patient on hospital premises, the medical fraternity has strongly objected to the decision and warned of industrial action.
The IGMC Resident Doctors Association (RDA), backed by the State Association of Medical and Dental College Teachers, has announced a mass casual leave on Friday, followed by an indefinite strike from December 27 if their demands, including withdrawal of the termination order, are not met.
Adding to the pressure, the Himachal Medical Officers’ Association has also extended support to the RDA and decided to proceed on mass casual leave, a move likely to disrupt healthcare services across the state, from district hospitals to primary health centres.
Whether the strike materialises will depend on the outcome of a meeting between representatives of the doctors’ associations and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, scheduled for Friday morning. In a press release, the RDA stated that if the demands are not accepted within the stipulated time, a strike would begin from December 27, during which all routine services would remain suspended, except emergency care.
In addition to seeking revocation of the termination order, the RDA has demanded registration of an FIR against an individual who allegedly threatened Dr Nirula during the chaos that followed the scuffle between the doctor and the patient. The association said incidents of mob intimidation and harassment inside hospital premises had compromised the safety and working environment of healthcare professionals. It has sought legal action under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The RDA also alleged damage to hospital property during the incident and called for action against those responsible.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu maintained that the doctor’s conduct could not be justified. “If the patient was misbehaving, the doctor could have lodged a complaint. What he did was wrong,” the Chief Minister said.
Sukhu also noted that his government had reduced the duty hours of senior residents to ease work-related stress. “Earlier, duty hours extended up to 48 hours. We brought them down to 12 hours. Therefore, I do not understand why the doctor behaved in this manner,” he said.
However, the Chief Minister acknowledged doctors’ concerns regarding safety within hospitals. “I have directed officials to examine this issue. Doctors should feel secure at their workplaces,” he added.
