Doctors at IGMC Shimla Begin Indefinite Strike
Resident doctors at Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC) in Shimla have gone on an indefinite strike following the termination of a senior resident doctor after a recent brawl inside the hospital premises. The strike began after the state government dismissed the doctor in connection with an altercation involving a patient, an incident that was captured on video and circulated widely.
As part of the strike, routine medical services, including outpatient departments and elective procedures, have been suspended at IGMC and other government hospitals across Himachal Pradesh. Emergency services continue to function, but patients requiring non-emergency care have been advised to return later or seek treatment elsewhere.
Doctors Raise Concerns Over Process
The Resident Doctors’ Association said the termination was carried out without a fair and detailed inquiry. Doctors are demanding that the dismissal order be withdrawn and replaced with a transparent investigation into the incident. They have also raised concerns about hospital security, alleging that outsiders entered the premises and threatened medical staff during the altercation.
Impact on Patients and Response
The strike has caused inconvenience to patients, particularly those who travelled from remote areas for scheduled consultations and procedures. Health officials said efforts are underway to engage with protesting doctors to resolve the issue and restore normal services.
The situation remains tense as discussions between the state government and medical associations continue.
