2,850 doctors go on mass leave in Himachal today, warn of strike from tomorrow if dismissal decision is not withdrawn

Shimla (The Uttam Hindu): Doctors’ organisations in Himachal Pradesh have intensified their protest against the dismissal of senior resident Dr Raghav Nirula from the Pulmonary Department of Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC), Shimla, following an alleged altercation between a doctor and a patient.

The IGMC Resident Doctors Association (RDA), Himachal Pradesh Medical Officers Association (HPMOA), and the State Association of Medical and Dental College Teachers (SAMEDCOT) have jointly demanded that the government revoke the dismissal order.

The RDA has warned that if the government does not withdraw the decision by December 26, doctors across the state will go on strike from December 27. As part of the protest, 450 doctors at IGMC will remain on mass leave on December 26.

HPMOA press secretary Dr Vijay said that around 2,400 doctors across Himachal Pradesh will also go on collective leave on Friday in support of the RDA. The association has announced a one-day mass leave to protest what it termed injustice to the medical fraternity.

RDA president Dr Sohel Sharma stated that if no positive action is taken even after a meeting with the Chief Minister, a statewide strike will begin at 9:30 am on December 27. During the strike, OPD services, elective surgeries and routine medical services will remain suspended, while emergency services will continue.

Doctors plan to meet Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on the morning of December 26 to urge him to revoke Dr Raghav Nirula’s dismissal. HPMOA and SAMEDCOT have said they will support the decision taken by the RDA after the meeting.

SAMEDCOT president Dr Balveer Verma said the association has sought time to meet the Chief Minister and will decide its future course of action afterward. He added that harsh administrative decisions taken without proper procedure or hearing all parties negatively affect the working environment of teaching hospitals.

Supporting the protest, RDA president of Tanda Medical College in Kangra, Dr Kranti, said that if talks with the Chief Minister fail, 400 doctors at Tanda will also go on mass leave on Friday.

Meanwhile, RDA president Dr Sohel Sharma alleged that Dr Raghav Nirula has received threats to his life and has been warned to leave the country. He claimed that a person named Naresh Dasta issued the threats and demanded immediate registration of an FIR. With mounting pressure from doctors’ bodies, all eyes are now on the meeting with the Chief Minister.