Healthcare Crisis in Himachal Pradesh: Doctors Protest Termination of Senior Resident
Healthcare Disruption in Himachal Pradesh
Shimla: On Friday, Himachal Pradesh experienced a significant disruption in healthcare services as doctors from government hospitals took a collective day of leave. This action was in response to the dismissal of a senior resident following an alleged incident involving a patient at Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC), Shimla.
Medical professionals have indicated that they may escalate their protest into an indefinite strike starting Saturday (December 27, 2025) if their demands are not addressed, raising alarms about the continuity of healthcare in the region.
Termination Leads to Statewide Protests
The unrest originated from an altercation on December 22, where a confrontation reportedly occurred between a doctor and a patient at IGMC. In response, the state government terminated Dr. Raghav Narula's position after Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu took a decisive stance on the issue.
However, medical associations have labeled this decision as 'unjust and excessive,' calling for the immediate reversal of the termination. Following discussions on Thursday, these groups declared a coordinated day of leave on Friday and warned that their protests would escalate starting Saturday.
Impact on Medical Services
The protest resulted in the suspension of outpatient department (OPD) services at key hospitals, causing significant inconvenience for patients. At IGMC-Shimla, regular outpatient services were halted, with only emergency care being provided, while consultants remained available. A similar situation unfolded at Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) Hospital in Shimla, where OPDs were closed but emergency services continued to function.
The disruption also affected Dharamshala, where OPD services at the district hospital were shut down, forcing patients to either wait or seek care from private facilities.
Allegations of Threats Heighten Tensions
Dr. Sohail Sharma, president of the Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA), reported that Dr. Narula had received death threats and was urged to leave the country. He identified an individual named Naresh Dasta as the source of these threats and called for an immediate FIR to be filed.
The association further claimed that doctors faced intimidation from a mob within the IGMC premises, which disrupted hospital operations and resulted in damage to government property. Resident doctors have scheduled a meeting with Chief Minister Sukhu on Saturday morning and have reiterated their intention to strike if their demands are not met.