Healthcare services across government hospitals in Himachal Pradesh faced severe disruption on Saturday as doctors launched an indefinite strike. The protest was triggered by the termination of a fellow doctor, bringing all non-emergency medical care to a standstill.
Core Issue: Termination Sparks Fraternity-Wide Protest
The strike action comes in response to the state government's decision to terminate Dr Raghav Nirula, who was allegedly involved in assaulting a patient at Shimla's Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) on December 22. The medical fraternity, led by the Indira Gandhi Medical College Resident Doctors' Association (RDA), has demanded the immediate revocation of this order.
Dr Sohail Sharma, President of the IGMC RDA, argued that the termination within 48 hours of the incident was a humiliation for all doctors. While acknowledging the misconduct that led to Dr Nirula's suspension within six hours, Sharma stated that the subsequent termination based on the disciplinary committee's report was unjustified. He emphasized the years of effort required to become a doctor and asserted that work would not resume until the government reversed its decision.
Patient Hardship and Official Response
The strike had immediate and serious consequences for patients. Those visiting IGMC and the Atal Institute of Medical Super Specialities (AIMSS) in Chamiyana from various districts faced significant hardship. Several scheduled surgeries for Saturday had to be postponed indefinitely.
Jagat Ram, a 70-year-old from Theog, had his prostate surgery at AIMSS postponed after he was advised to fast. Kanta Ranta, 40, from Rohru, travelled 110 km for an orthopaedic consultation at IGMC only to learn about the strike, forcing her to stay with relatives in Shimla and wait.
In response, Health Minister Col Dhani Ram Shandil (retd) assured that the issue would be resolved soon, promising discussions once the Chief Minister returns from Delhi. He urged doctors to control their anger and engage in dialogue, while confirming that emergency services continued to function. The directorate of medical education also issued an SOP to maintain emergency care, mandating consultants to handle OPD duties and ensuring radiological services for in-patient and emergency cases.
Stalemate Continues as Services Remain Hit
As the standoff continues, the state's healthcare system remains under strain. The doctors' strike highlights the tension between administrative action and professional solidarity, with patients caught in the middle. The government's next steps and the protesting doctors' resolve will determine how quickly normalcy can be restored to Himachal Pradesh's hospitals.
