Strike Ends at IGMC Shimla : Relief for Patients After Government Assurances

In a major relief for thousands of patients, the indefinite strike by doctors at Himachal Pradesh’s largest government hospital was called off late Sunday night. The move comes after direct intervention from the state’s Chief Minister.

Resident doctors at the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) in Shimla have agreed to return to work immediately. This decision ends two days of severe disruption that left patients—many from remote rural areas—stranded, with cancelled surgeries and closed outpatient departments across the state.

The breakthrough followed a crucial assurance from Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. He has pledged a detailed inquiry into an alleged assault on doctors at IGMC and promised to re-examine the recent termination of a senior resident, Dr. Raghav Narula.

“In larger public interest, and believing in the word of the Honorable Chief Minister, we are withdrawing our strike,” stated the Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) in a press note. The association expressed its “heartfelt thanks” to fellow doctors across the state and country for their solidarity during the protest.

However, the doctors have made it clear that their return is conditional. They will be watching the inquiry process closely and have scheduled a meeting for January 3, 2026, to decide their next steps if the termination order is not revoked.

While healthcare services are expected to normalize quickly, bringing urgent relief, the underlying tension has not fully dissipated. The medical community has placed its trust in the government’s promises, but the situation remains delicate, with future action hinging on the outcome of the official inquiry.