Medical services badly affected across Himachal Pradesh as doctors go on indefinite strike

Barring emergency services, medical services in many hospitals in Himachal Pradesh were severely affected as resident doctors went on an indefinite strike on Saturday, December 27, against termination of services of a doctor who had an altercation with a patient.

Due to shortage of doctors, especially the patients and relatives coming from far away places are facing problems.

Krishna Singh Thakur, who was accompanying a patient, said, “I came here on Thursday from Ani, about 125 km from Shimla, for my father’s treatment. But due to the strike, no doctor is available and we are facing inconvenience.”

Thakur said non-availability of accommodation due to extreme cold and heavy rush of tourists around New Year is adding to their woes, and urged the government and doctors to resolve the matter as soon as possible in the interest of patients.

“My wife is admitted in the hospital. Her MRI was to be done today, but it has not been done yet because the strike has started. We are waiting for the doctors to return to work,” Dasvi Ram, attendant of another patient, told PTI Video on Saturday morning.

Resident doctors of Indira Gandhi Medical College and several other government hospitals across the state went on mass leave on Friday.

The Resident Doctors Association had announced an indefinite strike from Saturday, saying that during the strike, routine services, elective operation theaters and outpatient departments will remain closed and only emergency services will remain operational.

Also read: IGMC Shimla doctors on mass leave demanding reinstatement of senior resident: What we know so far

The Himachal Pradesh government on Wednesday terminated the services of Dr Raghav Narula for allegedly assaulting a patient, Arjun Singh, on Monday.

The incident came to light after a video of the confrontation that took place in the pulmonary ward of IGMC surfaced, which showed Narula punching the patient in the face while he attempted to kick the doctor.

Arjun Singh, who had gone to the hospital for bronchoscopy and complained of breathlessness after the procedure, alleged that the controversy started over the doctor’s choice of words. He claimed that he had objected to the doctor addressing him as “Tu” instead of “Tum”, which had caused Narula to become aggressive.

However, Narula said that it was Singh who had instigated the fight by using derogatory language against her and her family. An investigation committee report found both parties guilty. Officials said they found “misconduct, misconduct and acts unbecoming of a public servant” on Narula’s part.

Himachal Medical Officers Association, Shimla Association of Medical and Dental College Teachers, Shimla Private Practitioners Association and Federation of Resident Doctors Association have come out in support of the doctor.

They have demanded his reinstatement; To prevent recurrence of such incidents, there should be a transparent, timely and impartial investigation into the incident and strict and prompt action should be taken against anti-social elements creating chaos in the hospital premises.

Members of the Resident Doctors Association had met Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu on Friday.

The Chief Minister assured action against the mob, which allegedly threatened the doctor inside the hospital and affected medical services. He also promised to bring new guidelines and guidelines to ensure the safety of doctors inside hospitals.