Doctor–Patient Clash at IGMC: An Avoidable Incident That Exposes Deeper Fault Lines in Public Healthcare system or Vyastha.
Shimla | December 23, 2025: The clash between a doctor and a patient—both educated, aware and responsible individuals in today’s civil society—inside Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla, has shocked citizens of the state capital and netizens online and social media which selectively posted a video.
The incident should never have happened. Instead, it has raised uneasy questions about the deeper rot that has set into the healthcare system, not only in Himachal Pradesh’s medical colleges but across the country.
The sooner these issues are addressed, the greater the chance of saving the state-run healthcare system from drifting towards total collapse.
Following the circulation of a viral video related to the incident during morning rounds on December 22, the state government suspended the doctor involved and attached him to the Health Department headquarters pending inquiry.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today hold meeting and has ordered the probe to be completed by December 24, asserting that indiscipline will not be tolerated in any medical institution.
However, emerging facts suggest that the episode is far more layered than the brief video clip indicates.
Dr Raghav Narula, a senior resident at IGMC, has publicly presented his version of events. He stated that he was threatened by patient Arjun and several attendants present in the ward when he asked for the patient to be shifted to another ward as per protocol.
Dr Narula claimed that the situation quickly turned hostile and that he reacted out of fear for his personal safety. He also alleged that the video circulating on social media was selectively recorded and leaked, capturing only a part of the confrontation.
The Resident Doctors Association (RDA) has sought a balanced approach, urging the administration to give due weight to Dr Narula’s statement before arriving at any conclusions.
The RDA has also flagged growing safety concerns for doctors, stating that the atmosphere at IGMC has not remained congenial for medical professionals, particularly during high-pressure hours. In view of the tension, police personnel have been deployed at the hospital.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, Dr Narula has reportedly been admitted to IGMC itself due to acute stress and anxiety following the incident.
Significantly, the suspended doctor’s past record adds another dimension to the controversy. When posted at Nahan Medical College as junior resident, the same doctor had personally accompanied the patient to PGI Chandigarh to ensure advanced treatment. This fact has led many to question simplistic narratives that portray the incident as one-sided.
According to preliminary accounts, the confrontation began when a patient shifted after bronchoscopy was found occupying an unallotted bed and was asked to vacate it.
What followed was a rapid escalation—sharp words, personal remarks and crowding by attendants—culminating in a situation that spiralled out of control.
For patients, particularly the elderly and rural poor, the incident has reopened long-standing grievances about harsh language and insensitive behaviour in government hospitals.
For doctors, especially residents, it has highlighted the dangers of working in overcrowded wards with inadequate security, excessive duty hours and mounting stress.
IGMC administration has failed to put in place a single attendant norm per patient in emergency and wards when doctors are on the round.
Chief Minister Sukhu, while reviewing the incident, reiterated the need for polite professional conduct and announced induction training for senior residents.
He also highlighted the government’s efforts to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and medical education across the state.
Yet, the larger questions remain unresolved. Are patient communication protocols effectively enforced? Are doctors adequately protected from aggression? Is there a credible grievance redressal system trusted by both sides?
There are none. You find overcrowded wards and emergency rooms.
Health experts caution that unless these systemic issues are addressed, suspensions and inquiries will only offer temporary relief. The doctor–patient relationship, once the backbone of public healthcare, is under severe strain.
Doctors and patients are not adversaries but partners in healing.
The IGMC incident should serve as a turning point—prompting reforms that restore dignity to patients, ensure safety and support for doctors, and rebuild trust in state-run hospitals before further damage is done to the public healthcare system.