Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has directed the formation of a new committee to re-examine the recent incident at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla, involving a senior resident doctor and a patient. The announcement was made during a Health Department meeting on Monday.
Ensuring Safety and Accountability
CM Sukhu emphasized that while the government will ensure adequate security for doctors and staff, misbehaviour toward patients will not be tolerated. He also proposed mandatory courses on human behaviour and management for doctors and suggested including patient interaction scores in doctors’ Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs).
Filling Vacancies and Incentives
The Chief Minister highlighted ongoing efforts to fill vacant posts for doctors and paramedical staff, ensuring smooth delivery of healthcare services. He also noted that the state government is considering offering incentives to attract highly qualified specialists to the public medical sector.
Health Officials Present at the Meeting
Senior health officials, including Health Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil, Secretary of Health, Director of Medical Education Sandeep Kadam, Director of Health Services Dr. Rakesh Sharma, and other senior officers, attended the meeting to discuss measures for improved healthcare administration and patient-doctor relations.
Resident Doctors’ Strike Withdrawn
Following assurances from CM Sukhu, the Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) at IGMC announced the withdrawal of its indefinite strike, effective immediately. The decision was taken in the public interest, after the Chief Minister promised a detailed enquiry and the revocation of the termination order against the concerned doctor.
RDA’s Continued Involvement
RDA President Dr. Sohil Sharma said the association would remain closely involved in the enquiry process until the termination order is formally revoked. He added that a further plan of action would be discussed in a meeting scheduled for January 3, 2026.
Acknowledging Solidarity
The RDA expressed gratitude to resident doctor bodies across Himachal Pradesh and the country, as well as supporting organisations such as the Himachal Medical Officers’ Association and SAMDCOT, for standing in solidarity during the strike.
Incident Overview
The indefinite strike was triggered by a December 22 incident in which a senior resident in the Department of Pulmonary Medicine was involved in a physical altercation with a 36-year-old patient, Arjun Pawar, from Chopal. Following the incident, the doctor was terminated, and an FIR was filed against him at Shimla Sadar Police Station under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Regular medical services at IGMC are expected to resume fully with the withdrawal of the strike.
