Medical services across large parts of Himachal Pradesh were severely disrupted Saturday as resident doctors began an indefinite strike to protest the
termination of a colleague accused of assaulting a patient. Emergency services remained operational, but routine care was widely affected. Hospitals including Indira Gandhi Medical College reported closures of outpatient departments and postponement of elective procedures. Patients, many of them travelling long distances from remote areas, said they were left waiting amid winter cold and a New Year tourist rush that has strained accommodation.
“I came here from Ani, about 125 kilometers from Shimla, for my father’s treatment,” said Krishan Singh Thakur, an attendant. “But no doctors are available due to the strike, and we are facing inconvenience.” Another attendant, Dasvi Ram, said his wife’s MRI scheduled for Saturday had not been done. “We are waiting for the doctors to resume duty,” he said, as quoted by PTI.
Resident doctors across IGMC and other government hospitals first went on mass casual leave Friday.
Their association announced an indefinite strike beginning Saturday, saying routine services, elective operation theatres and outpatient clinics would remain closed while emergency services continued.
The protest follows the state government’s decision this week to terminate Dr. Raghav Narula after a confrontation with a patient, Arjun Singh, in IGMC’s pulmonary ward. A video of the incident, widely circulated online, shows the doctor punching the patient during a heated exchange. Singh said the dispute began after he objected to the doctor’s choice of words following a bronchoscopy. Narula has said the patient used abusive language and instigated the fight.
An inquiry committee found both parties at fault, citing “misconduct, misbehaviour and acts unbecoming of a public servant” by the doctor, officials said. The termination prompted backing for Narula from several professional bodies, including the Himachal Medical Officers’ Association and federations representing resident doctors and medical teachers.
The groups have demanded Narula’s reinstatement, a transparent and time-bound inquiry, and swift action against what they described as antisocial elements who created chaos inside the hospital. They also called for stronger security measures to prevent similar incidents.
Representatives of the Resident Doctors’ Association on Friday met Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who assured action against those who allegedly threatened medical staff and said new guidelines would be issued to improve hospital security. Despite the assurances, doctors proceeded with the strike, insisting the termination order be revoked.
State authorities said they were monitoring the situation and urged both sides to resolve the dispute quickly in the interest of patients, as winter conditions continue to complicate access to care.
