TNR News Network
Shimla: Himachal Pradesh faced a healthcare disruption on Friday as doctors across government hospitals went on a one-day mass casual leave, protesting the termination of a senior resident following an alleged assault on a patient at Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC), Shimla.
Doctors’ bodies have warned of an indefinite strike from Saturday (December 27, 2025) if their demands are not accepted, raising concerns over continuity of medical services in the state.
Termination sparks statewide protest
The controversy stems from an incident on December 22, when a scuffle reportedly broke out between a doctor and a patient at IGMC. Acting on the matter, the state government terminated the services of senior resident Dr Raghav Narula after Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu took a firm stand.
Doctors’ organisations, however, have termed the decision “unfair and disproportionate”, demanding immediate withdrawal of the termination order. After holding meetings on Thursday, the associations announced a collective day-long leave on Friday and cautioned that the agitation would intensify from Saturday.
OPDs shut, emergency services remain functional
The protest led to the closure of OPD services at major hospitals, causing inconvenience to patients. At IGMC-Shimla, routine outpatient services were suspended, with only emergency care continuing, while consultants remained on duty. Similar arrangements were seen at Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) Hospital in Shimla, where OPDs remained shut but emergency services were operational.
The disruption extended to Dharamshala, where OPD services at the district hospital were also closed, leaving patients to either wait or seek private treatment.
Threat allegations add to tension
Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) president Dr Sohail Sharma alleged that Dr Narula had received death threats and was asked to leave the country. He claimed the threats were issued by a person identified as Naresh Dasta and demanded immediate registration of an FIR.
The association also alleged that doctors were threatened by a mob inside the IGMC campus, affecting hospital functioning and leading to damage to government property. Resident doctors have announced that they will meet Chief Minister Sukhu on Saturday morning and have reiterated that they would proceed on strike if their demands were not met.
