The Himachal Pradesh government has taken strict disciplinary action by terminating the services of a senior resident doctor at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) in Shimla. The decision comes after an inquiry found the doctor guilty of assaulting a patient, an act deemed "unbecoming of a public servant."
Immediate Termination Following Inquiry
On Wednesday, the state's director of medical education and research issued the termination order against Dr Raghav Nirula, who served in the department of pulmonary medicine. The order cited provisions of Clause-9 of the Resident Doctor Policy, 2025, and took effect immediately.
The government's action was based on the findings of an inquiry committee set up to investigate the incident. The committee's report concluded that Dr Nirula's actions constituted misconduct and violated the established code of conduct for public servants.
Details of the December 22 Incident
The altercation that led to this drastic step occurred on December 22. A preliminary inquiry report from IGMC's disciplinary committee revealed that a physical scuffle broke out between Dr Nirula and a 36-year-old male patient named Arjun.
Following the incident, the doctor was suspended on the same day. Furthermore, the patient's attendants filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Dr Nirula with the police. The criminal investigation into the assault case is currently ongoing.
Official Stance and Broader Implications
The termination order presented a significant detail, stating that both the patient and Dr Raghav Nirula were held responsible for the incident. The official order described the event as involving "misconduct, misbehaviour, acts of commission, and unbecoming of a public servant, and violation of Resident Doctor Policy 2025."
This case highlights the Himachal Pradesh government's firm stance on enforcing professional ethics within the medical fraternity, especially in public institutions. The swift suspension and subsequent termination based on the inquiry report underscore a zero-tolerance policy towards violence in healthcare settings.
The termination of a senior resident doctor at a premier institution like IGMC Shimla sends a strong message about accountability and the expected standards of behaviour for medical professionals serving the public.
