The Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) IGMC Shimla has withdrawn its indefinite strike with immediate effect after Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu assured a detailed inquiry into the Dr Raghav Narula case and promised to review the termination order.
The decision to call off the strike was announced through an official press note dated December 28, 2025, issued by the RDA IGMC Shimla, bringing an end to the three-day healthcare crisis that had paralyzed medical services across Himachal Pradesh.
CM’s assurance breaks deadlock
Chief Minister Sukhu gave assurances to the Resident Doctors’ Association on December 28, 2025, regarding initiation of a detailed inquiry into the matter and revocation of the termination of Dr Raghav Narula.
“The Resident Doctors Association Office Bearers Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla believe in word of Honorable Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh and hereby withdraws indefinite strike of Resident Doctor’s Association of IGMC Shimla, with immediate effect in larger public interest please,” the official press note stated.
The press note was signed by RDA President Dr Sohil Sharma, General Secretary Dr Adarsh Sharma, and Vice President Dr Madhup Arora.
Next meeting on January 3
The RDA has clarified that while the strike has been called off, the association will remain fully invested in the inquiry process until the termination orders are revoked. A follow-up meeting has been scheduled for January 3, 2026, where further plans of action will be discussed.
“RDA IGMC Shimla will be vested completely into the said enquiry till the termination orders are not revoked with further plan of action meet on 03/01/2026,” the press note stated.
CM’s appeal to doctors
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday appealed to the striking doctors to end their protest and return to work from Monday. He assured that he would hold discussions with senior doctors at IGMC, conduct a complete investigation, and review the decision to terminate Dr Raghav Narula.
The CM’s intervention came after approximately 2,800 doctors across the state went on mass leave since Friday, leaving thousands of patients stranded without OPD services, routine surgeries, and diagnostic tests.
Three days of healthcare paralysis
The doctors’ strike that began on Friday, December 27, had brought Himachal’s healthcare system to a standstill. Around 450 doctors at IGMC Shimla alone joined the protest, with over 2,800 doctors across the state on mass leave. OPD services were shut, routine surgeries suspended, and only emergency services remained operational with skeletal staff.
Thousands of patients who had traveled from remote hill areas for treatment were left stranded. The crisis had also turned into a political flashpoint with Leader of Opposition Jayram Thakur attacking the government for administrative failure.
Services to resume Monday
With the strike being called off, doctors will resume duties from Monday, December 30. OPD services will restart across government hospitals, scheduled surgeries will resume, and normal healthcare services will be restored.
However, the detailed inquiry into the December 23 incident will continue, and the RDA will assess the progress during its January 3 meeting. If the termination order is not revoked based on the inquiry findings, the association may reconsider its next course of action.
The resolution represents a temporary truce with the RDA “believing in the word of Honorable Chief Minister” while remaining committed to ensuring a fair process for Dr Raghav Narula through the promised inquiry and review.
