Munish Sood
MANDI:
The patient assault incident reported at Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC) in Shimla, which triggered widespread outrage and disrupted healthcare services across Himachal Pradesh over the past week, has now been amicably resolved.
The patient, Arjun Panwar, and the senior resident, Dr Raghav Nirula, involved in the controversy have reached a compromise, bringing an end to the tense standoff.
The reconciliation took place at the state Secretariat in the office of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s media adviser Naresh Chauhan, where both parties accepted their respective lapses. Parents of both the patient and the doctor were present during the settlement process.
In a symbolic gesture of closure, the patient and the doctor shook hands and embraced, formally ending the dispute. Both sides expressed gratitude to the mediator for facilitating dialogue and restoring calm.
How the controversy began
The controversy erupted last week after a video circulated widely on social media showing the senior resident allegedly assaulting the patient inside a hospital ward at IGMC.
The patient was reportedly undergoing treatment and had recently undergone a medical procedure when the incident occurred. The visuals sparked sharp public reactions, with questions raised over patient safety and professional conduct within the state’s premier medical institution.
Soon after the video went viral, the police registered a case and the hospital administration initiated disciplinary action against the doctor. The incident drew strong condemnation from various quarters, including patient rights groups and members of the public, who demanded strict action.
Escalation and protests
As the matter escalated, relatives of the patient staged protests, demanding justice and accountability. At the same time, sections of the medical fraternity expressed concern, arguing that the incident needed to be examined in its entirety and that rising stress levels and workplace challenges faced by doctors should also be taken into account.
The situation further intensified when resident doctors across IGMC and other government hospitals announced protests and mass leave, opposing the severity of the action taken against the doctor. The agitation led to partial disruption of OPD services and elective procedures, causing inconvenience to patients across the state.
Taking serious note of the unfolding crisis, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu convened a high-level meeting with the Health Minister and senior officials. The Chief Minister ordered a fresh and comprehensive inquiry into the incident and constituted a new committee to re-examine all aspects of the case.
The government appealed to protesting doctors to resume duties in the larger public interest, assuring them that their concerns would be addressed through due process and that the inquiry would be fair and transparent.
Following assurances from the government, doctors withdrew their agitation and hospital services were gradually restored.
The mutual settlement between the patient and the doctor has now brought much-needed relief to the administration and the healthcare system. The state government has reiterated that while any form of violence or misconduct in hospitals will not be tolerated, efforts will also be made to improve communication, conflict management, and working conditions in medical institutions.
The newly constituted committee is expected to submit its report soon, based on which further steps will be taken to prevent such incidents in the future and ensure a safe, respectful environment for both patients and healthcare professionals.
