Healthcare services remain severely affected today following the protest against the dismissal of Senior Resident Dr Raghav Nirula. The dismissal came after an altercation between the doctor and a patient at Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC), Shimla. Doctors in most hospitals across the state continue to be on mass leave in protest.

Due to the mass leave taken by medical officers, patients are being forced to return without treatment from district and sub-divisional hospitals, as well as Primary Health Centers (PHCs) and Community Health Centers (CHCs). Only emergency services are available, and surgeries have been postponed in many locations.

Surgeries Postponed At IGMC Shimla

The impact of the doctors' mass leave was most visible at IGMC Shimla, where over 100 operations had to be postponed. Apart from this, only two orthopedic surgeries were performed in the emergency department. At the Regional Hospital in Solan, OPD services remained disrupted, and four operations were postponed.

Teachers’ Association Manages OPD At Tanda

Resident doctors at Dr Rajendra Prasad Medical College and Hospital, Tanda, are also on mass leave. While emergency services are functional in all hospitals including Tanda, the Medical College Teachers' Association stepped in to manage OPD services, providing some relief to patients. Approximately 25 operations were performed at Tanda Medical College on Friday.

Status In Chamba, Nerchowk, Mandi And Kullu

Nerchowk and Chamba: Health services remained smooth at Nerchowk Medical College and Hospital on Friday, where 10 operations were conducted. Services were also reported to be functional at Chamba Medical College.

Mandi and Kullu: The strike affected other health institutions in Mandi district, causing inconvenience to patients. In Kullu district, health services were stalled in Manali, Banjar, Anni, and Sainj. Patients received treatment in the emergency ward at the Regional Hospital Kullu, where doctors also performed two C-sections.

Normal Services At Hamirpur Medical College

The strike had no impact on the Medical College and Hospital, Hamirpur, on Friday. Patients received treatment smoothly. On Saturday, doctors in Hamirpur continued to provide services while wearing black badges as a mark of protest.

Principal Dr Ramesh Bharti stated that all doctors attended to patients in OPDs and wards. The hospital recorded an OPD footfall of 1,232, and conducted 26 eye surgeries, seven general surgeries, two orthopedic surgeries, and three gynecological operations.

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Services Stalled In Una

All doctors in the Una district remained on mass leave on Friday, bringing OPD services in government hospitals to a halt. In the Chamba district, the strike by doctors led to the closure of OPD services at the Medical College and Hospital, with only emergency treatment available. Doctors in almost all major civil hospitals and health centers in the district observed the strike.

SAMDCOT Appeal: Visit Hospitals Only For Emergencies

SAMDCOT Secretary Dr Manish Gupta has appealed to the public to visit hospitals only in emergency situations. This will not only reduce overcrowding in hospitals but also ensure that emergency services run without hindrance. SAMDCOT stated that while doctors and medical staff are dedicated to serving patients, priority must be given to the critically ill, accident victims, pregnant women and those with urgent needs.

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