Shimla Resident Doctors Protest Termination of Senior Resident

Overview of the Protest

The Resident Doctors Association (RDA) at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) and Hospital in Shimla has called for a day-long mass casual leave on December 26, 2025. This protest is in response to the termination of a senior resident from the Department of Pulmonary Medicine following a viral video incident.

Details of the Incident

On December 22, a video surfaced showing the resident doctor engaged in a physical altercation with a patient from Chopal. The footage sparked significant public outcry and placed pressure on the state government, which is advocating for healthcare reforms. In the aftermath, Shimla Police filed a First Information Report (FIR) against the doctor under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

Government Actions and Responses

Following an inquiry by the IGMC administration and a college committee, the state government terminated the doctor’s employment on December 25. The inquiry determined that both parties were at fault during the altercation. In solidarity with the resident doctor, the Himachal Medical Officers Association (HMOA) has also announced a one-day mass casual leave on the same day.

RDA’s Demands and Future Actions

RDA President Dr. Sohil Sharma indicated that the association would seek dialogue with the government and planned to meet with the Chief Minister on December 26. He stated that if their demands remain unaddressed by December 27 at 9:30 am, they would initiate a strike. While emergency services will continue, routine services, outpatient departments (OPDs), and elective surgeries will be suspended during the protest, potentially impacting patient care significantly.

Specific Demands from the RDA

The RDA has outlined several key demands, including:
– Immediate revocation of the termination order.
– Filing of an FIR against Naresh Dasta, who allegedly threatened the doctor.
– Legal action against individuals who damaged government property during the incident.
– Accountability for security deficiencies at IGMC.

Dr. Sharma highlighted the need for a comprehensive review of the hospital’s security measures and issues with CCTV coverage that were previously reported.

Support from National Medical Associations

The incident has garnered national attention, with the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Associations (FORDA) offering support for the affected doctor. They submitted a representation to the Chief Minister, emphasizing the importance of fair and transparent examination of misconduct allegations. FORDA cautioned against making judgments based solely on video footage and urged the government to conduct an impartial inquiry to protect the rights of both the doctor and the patient.

Statements from the Ladakh Medical Association

The Ladakh Medical Association (LMA) has expressed solidarity with the resident doctor and called for accountability for those who incited the mob on December 22. LMA President Dr. Mehdi Ali criticized the termination of the doctor, describing it as unjust and indicative of a failure in institutional fairness. The association called for strict legal consequences for those spreading misleading information about the incident and insisted that doctors should not face harassment for acting in self-defense.

Implications for Healthcare Delivery

As resident doctors, medical officers, and national associations rally in support of Dr. Nirula, the situation remains tense. Protests are expected to intensify from December 27 if the negotiations fail, raising concerns about the future of healthcare services in Himachal Pradesh.