Sunil Chadha
Shimla: In the aftermath of the patient assault incident at Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC) in Shimla, the Himachal Pradesh government has announced that doctors demonstrating good behaviour with patients will be formally rewarded, even as it made clear that misbehaviour on either side would not be tolerated.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also directed the constitution of a new committee to re-look into the IGMC incident, a move seen as an attempt to defuse tensions following the recent resident doctors’ strike.
Presiding over a meeting of the Health Department in Shimla, the CM said the government was committed to ensuring security for doctors and healthcare staff, but stressed that professional and ethical conduct towards patients remained non-negotiable.
New committee to re-examine IGMC incident
The Chief Minister ordered the formation of a fresh committee to review the circumstances surrounding the IGMC incident that triggered protests by resident doctors across the state. He said the government did not want to ruin any doctor’s career but also underlined that accountability and fairness would guide the inquiry.
The decision comes even as hospitals, particularly IGMC-Shimla, continue to struggle with partial disruption despite the Resident Doctors Association (RDA) officially calling off its indefinite strike. Several resident doctors are yet to return to duty, citing unresolved safety concerns and internal differences within the association.
Behaviour scores, mandatory training for doctors
In a significant policy signal, Sukhu said the state government was contemplating the introduction of behavioural assessment marks in the annual confidential report (ACR) of doctors, linked specifically to their conduct with patients and attendants. “Good behaviour will be recognised and rewarded,” he said, adding that complaints of misbehaviour by patients or attendants should be promptly reported to seniors.
He also instructed the Health Department to introduce mandatory human behaviour and man-management courses for doctors, aimed at strengthening professional ethics and improving patient-doctor communication in public hospitals.
Filling vacancies, incentives for specialists
Acknowledging workload pressures as a key source of friction in government hospitals, the CM said the state was actively filling vacant posts of doctors and paramedical staff. “Hundreds of posts have already been filled and more appointments will be made in the coming time,” he said, adding that adequate staffing would allow doctors to discharge their duties without undue stress.
The government is also considering offering incentives to highly qualified doctors to attract more specialists into the public health sector. Health Minister Dr (Col) Dhani Ram Shandil, senior health officials and departmental heads were present at the meeting.
