A 48-hour strike by doctors and nurses paralysed healthcare services across Arunachal Pradesh on September 12, 2025, following the assault of two doctors at Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS) in Naharlagun. The shutdown, which began Friday, suspended routine consultations, diagnostic tests, and non-emergency treatments, leaving only emergency services operational. Patients, including those with sick children and the elderly, faced distress, with many travelling long distances to access care.

The strike was prompted by an attack on Thursday, when a 28-year-old man, dissatisfied with a patient’s treatment, assaulted Dr Arvind Pusha, a senior paediatric resident, with an iron rod and attacked Dr Tam Tariang, another senior resident, causing serious injuries. Both doctors are receiving treatment at TRIHMS, and the assailant has been arrested, with an investigation ongoing.

The TRIHMS Faculty Association, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Arunachal branch, the Arunachal Pradesh Doctors’ Association (APDA), and the Trained Nurses’ Association of India (TNAI) jointly called for the strike, demanding enhanced security for healthcare workers. They submitted a memorandum to the state government, urging permanent security measures and increased nursing staff in hospitals. Dr Rinchin Dorjee Megeji, president of the TRIHMS Faculty Association, expressed regret but emphasised the need for a safe working environment.

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The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) appealed for an end to the strike, citing risks to patients’ lives, and urged urgent dialogue between the government and medical associations to resolve the crisis. As the strike continues, Arunachal Pradesh faces a deepening healthcare emergency, with fears of further disruptions if demands remain unaddressed.

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