Doctors call off protest, normal services to resume from today

Shimla, August 20

In a big relief to patients, normal medical services will resume at the IGMC, Shimla, and other medical colleges from tomorrow. The IGMC faculty and Resident Doctors Association (RDA) today called off their protest over the rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata. The resident doctors and the IGMC faculty had been boycotting the OPDs and elective surgeries over the last few days to register their protest over the gruesome incident.

“The teaching faculty and resident doctors have decided to call off the protest. The OPD and elective OTs will start functioning from tomorrow,” said Dr Piyush Kapila, secretary, State Association Medical and Dental College Teachers (SAMDCOT). The teaching faculty and resident doctors will, however, hold symbolic protest after duty hours till August 22. Doctors at Tanda, Chamba and Nerchowk medical colleges have also withdrawn the protest and normal services will resume from tomorrow onwards.

Earlier in the day, doctors and students took out a protest march from the IGMC till the Secretariat and apprised Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu of their concerns and demands. Dr Balbir Verma, the SAMDCOT president, said the doctors had a detailed discussion with the Chief Minister regarding their concerns.

“One of our major demands was the implementation of the Medicare Service Persons Medicare Service Institution Act to protect doctors from violence,” said Dr Verma. “The second issue was about ensuring safe and secure work environment for the doctors by having adequate security measures in place. We don’t have enough security personnel and CCTV cameras at the hospital. The Chief Minister has assured us that the government would take the required steps to enhance security,” said Dr Verma.