Resident Doctors Threaten Strike Over Termination of Colleague

Healthcare services in Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, are poised for major disruption following a decision by the Resident Doctors Association (RDA) of Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) to initiate a protest. On December 26, 2023, they plan to take a day-long mass casual leave in response to the termination of Dr Raghav Nirula, a senior resident in the Department of Pulmonary Medicine. The decision comes after a physical altercation involving Dr Nirula and a patient, Arjun Pawar, which was captured in a viral video, igniting public outrage and increasing scrutiny on the state government’s healthcare reforms.

The incident took place on December 22, 2023, when Dr Nirula was involved in a confrontation with Pawar, prompting the Shimla Police to register a First Information Report (FIR) under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. Following an inquiry, the state government terminated Dr Nirula’s services on December 26, despite findings suggesting that both parties shared responsibility for the incident.

RDA President Dr Sohil Sharma announced the protest and stated that the association would seek dialogue with the government before escalating their actions. “We are meeting the Chief Minister on December 26 morning. If our demands are not addressed within the stipulated time, we will be forced to go on strike from December 27 at 09:30,” Dr Sharma said. While emergency services will remain operational, all routine services, including outpatient departments and elective surgeries, are set to be suspended during the protest.

The RDA has issued several demands, including the immediate revocation of Dr Nirula’s dismissal and the registration of an FIR against another individual involved in the incident. “We demand accountability for the security lapses at IGMC and a thorough review of deficiencies in CCTV coverage and security measures,” Dr Sharma added.

The controversy has garnered national attention, with the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Associations (FORDA) expressing support for Dr Nirula. In a statement submitted to the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, FORDA highlighted the importance of maintaining professional conduct while also ensuring that allegations are investigated fairly. The organisation called for a transparent inquiry, urging caution against premature judgments based solely on video evidence.

Support has also emerged locally, with the Himachal Medical Officers Association (HMOA) announcing a similar one-day mass casual leave on December 26 in solidarity with Dr Nirula and the RDA. HMOA indicated that their future actions would depend on the government’s response to the RDA’s demands, warning that only emergency services would be available if the situation is not resolved.

The Ladakh Medical Association (LMA) has also voiced support for Dr Nirula, condemning his termination and calling for accountability for those allegedly responsible for instigating the altercation. LMA President Dr Mehdi Ali described the decision to terminate Dr Nirula as unjust, arguing that penalising a doctor who was acting in self-defence undermines institutional fairness.

With various medical associations rallying behind Dr Nirula, the situation remains tense as the RDA prepares for potential escalation if negotiations fail to yield satisfactory results. The looming strike threatens to further strain healthcare delivery in Himachal Pradesh, raising concerns about patient care and access to medical services in the region.