Himachal Pradesh Government to Reward Doctors for Positive Patient Interactions

Government's Response to IGMC Incident

Sunil Chadha
Shimla: Following the recent assault on a patient at Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC) in Shimla, the Himachal Pradesh government has declared plans to formally recognize doctors who exhibit exemplary behavior towards patients. The administration emphasized that any form of misconduct from either party will not be tolerated.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has also mandated the formation of a new committee to investigate the IGMC incident, which is perceived as a strategy to ease tensions after the recent strike by resident doctors.

During a Health Department meeting in Shimla, the Chief Minister reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring the safety of healthcare professionals while underscoring the importance of maintaining professional and ethical standards in patient interactions.

Formation of a New Committee

The Chief Minister has ordered the establishment of a new committee to reassess the events surrounding the IGMC incident that led to protests from resident doctors statewide. He assured that the government aims to protect doctors' careers while emphasizing that accountability and fairness will be central to the investigation.

This decision comes as hospitals, particularly IGMC-Shimla, face ongoing challenges, with partial disruptions persisting despite the Resident Doctors Association (RDA) officially ending its indefinite strike. Many resident doctors have yet to resume their duties, citing unresolved safety issues and internal conflicts within the association.

Introducing Behavioural Assessments and Training

In a notable policy shift, Sukhu announced that the state government is considering the implementation of behavioral assessment scores in the annual confidential reports (ACR) of doctors, specifically related to their interactions with patients and their families. He stated, “Good behavior will be acknowledged and rewarded,” and urged that any complaints regarding misconduct by patients or their families should be reported to senior officials without delay.

Additionally, he instructed the Health Department to introduce mandatory courses on human behavior and management for doctors, aimed at enhancing professional ethics and improving communication between patients and doctors in public hospitals.

Addressing Staffing Issues and Incentives

Recognizing that workload pressures contribute significantly to tensions in government hospitals, the Chief Minister noted that the state is actively working to fill vacant positions for doctors and paramedical staff. “Hundreds of posts have already been filled, and more appointments will follow,” he stated, emphasizing that adequate staffing will enable doctors to perform their duties without excessive stress.

The government is also exploring the possibility of providing incentives to attract highly qualified specialists to the public health sector. Health Minister Dr. (Col) Dhani Ram Shandil, along with senior health officials and departmental heads, participated in the meeting.