“Doctor attacking patient unacceptable…”, says Himachal CM on IGMC incident; opposition alleges government failure
The Himachal Pradesh government has terminated a senior resident doctor of Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla, after a viral video showed a scuffle between the doctor and a patient. The decision was taken on Wednesday night following reports from the IGMC administration and an internal inquiry.
Government action and CM’s response
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu called the conduct “unacceptable” and said the government is putting safeguards in place to prevent a repeat. He announced that Standard Operating Procedures will be framed for hospitals, including limits on the number of attendants allowed with patients and measures to ensure the safety of medical staff.
“No matter what the situation is, a doctor attacking a patient is unacceptable,” the Chief Minister said, adding that doctors have appropriate channels to file complaints if issues arise. He noted that the state had earlier reduced senior residents’ continuous duty hours from 48 to 12 and doubled stipends from Rs 65,000 to Rs 1.30 lakh to address stress and workloads. Despite these steps, he said, such incidents cannot be justified.
Sukhu said the termination followed the administrative report, and future disputes involving medical personnel would be addressed through dialogue and due process. “We are committed to both patient care and the security of doctors,” he added.
Police register FIR, probe underway
Shimla District Police confirmed that a First Information Report has been registered and that the investigation is in progress. SP Shimla Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi said the case is being handled independently and strictly in accordance with the law. He added that medical opinions, circumstantial evidence, and medical reports have been collected, and the police are maintaining transparency with the complainant’s family during the probe.
Opposition alleges governance failure
Himachal Pradesh BJP president Rajeev Bindal said the episode reflects a deeper systemic breakdown rather than an isolated dispute. He cited frustration among doctors over inadequate facilities and among patients over gaps in treatment, alleging that multiple departments, including health, roads, water supply, and transport, are under strain. He argued that penalizing individuals without addressing structural issues is insufficient and accused the government of failing to maintain essential services.
Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur urged measures to prevent such incidents and emphasized the importance of preserving the doctor–patient relationship. He reiterated concerns about law and order and claimed that crimes in the state have raised alarms. He also criticized the government over employment and welfare commitments, alleging that promised jobs have not materialized, outsourced workers have lost employment, and benefits under various schemes remain unpaid.
Focus on safety and trust
The Chief Minister reiterated that the altercation should never have occurred and emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring a safe environment for both patients and medical professionals. He said the forthcoming SOPs will aim to restore trust, reduce conflict points within hospitals, and provide clear guidelines for staff, patients, and attendants.
