The medical services in Himachal Pradesh's capital are facing a major disruption as the Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) has called for a day-long mass casual leave and threatened an indefinite strike. This drastic action comes in protest against the termination of Dr Raghav Nirula, who was dismissed on Wednesday for allegedly assaulting a patient.
Chief Minister's Firm Stance Against Threats
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has firmly justified the government's decision to sack the doctor, stating there is no room for threats in a democratic setup. He emphasized that the termination followed a proper inquiry which found Dr Nirula guilty of the assault. The CM stated the doctor's actions were "wrong and unjustifiable" regardless of the provocation. He highlighted the sacred trust patients place in doctors, who are seen as caregivers akin to God.
Sukhu pointed to the existence of a video showing the assault and noted that hospital staff mentioned other videos. He asserted that no situation justifies violence and that the doctor had alternative channels like filing a formal complaint if there was an issue. The RDA is scheduled to meet the Chief Minister on Friday to discuss the matter. "Govt believes in dialogue and discussion. Whatever the doctors have to say will be heard," Sukhu said.
Doctors' Demands and Planned Agitation
In a significant escalation, the RDA, supported by the Central Students' Association (CSA) and the State Association of Medical and Dental College Teachers (SAMDCOT), held an emergency meeting on Thursday. They issued an ultimatum: if Dr Nirula is not reinstated, an indefinite strike will commence from 9:30 am on Saturday.
The associations warned that during the strike, all routine services, outpatient departments (OPDs), and elective operation theatres will remain shut. Only emergency medical services will be functional. They raised several critical concerns:
- An alleged threat to Dr Nirula's life and a demand for filing an FIR regarding it.
- An incident of alleged mob intimidation on the IGMC campus, which they say jeopardized the safety of healthcare workers and disrupted hospital operations.
- A call for strict action against those responsible for the ruckus and damage at the hospital.
- A demand for a comprehensive review of security lapses at IGMC.
Government's Reforms and Security Review
In response to the safety concerns, Chief Minister Sukhu has directed officials to review and strengthen security arrangements at the hospital. This includes regulating the number of attendants allowed with patients and implementing measures to ensure doctors' safety to prevent such incidents in the future.
Sukhu also outlined the significant steps his government has taken to reduce stress among resident doctors. He noted that the work schedule for senior residents was reformed from grueling 48-hour shifts to 12-hour schedules. Furthermore, their stipend was substantially increased from Rs 65,000 to Rs 1 lakh per month. "Given these reforms, it's difficult to understand what circumstances could have led to such behaviour by Dr Nirula," the CM remarked, underscoring the government's efforts to improve working conditions.
The situation remains tense as the state awaits the outcome of the Friday meeting between the doctors' associations and the Chief Minister, which will likely determine whether the healthcare system in Shimla grinds to a halt over the weekend.
