Shimla, April 30
A resentment is brewing among residents of the town, particularly women, against the state government’s decision to shift the gynaecology OPD of Kamala Nehru Hospital (KNH) to Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC).
Various civil rights groups affiliated with Communist Party of India (Marxist) staged a protest outside IGMC on Thursday, terming the move “anti-women” and “regressive.”
The demonstration, led by the All India Democratic Women’s Association and Shimla Nagarik Sabha, highlighted concerns over dismantling a well-established mother and child healthcare institution. Protesters argued that KNH has long served as a dedicated, specialised facility where women receive comprehensive care under one roof—something they fear will be disrupted if services are fragmented.
Speakers, including AIDWA State President Ranjana Jarrett and other local leaders, said the decision reflects a broader trend of “creeping privatisation” and rising healthcare costs, which could push essential services beyond the reach of common people.
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They warned that shifting OPD services to IGMC, already burdened with heavy patient inflow, would lead to overcrowding, mismanagement, and compromised care for women.
The agitators also raised practical concerns regarding staff shortages, stating that splitting services between KNH and IGMC would strain limited medical personnel and affect the training of OBG students.
They maintained that even advanced procedures like robotic surgery should be introduced within KNH itself, rather than weakening the existing institution.
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A delegation submitted a memorandum through IGMC authorities to the Chief Minister and Health Department, demanding rollback of the decision, withdrawal of the recent fee hike, and immediate recruitment of healthcare staff.
Concerns were also raised over inefficiencies in welfare schemes such as Himcare and the Abha Card, which, they said, require simplification.
The Emergency Lab in the state-level hospital IGMC, to which the government is shifting the only Mother and Child Kamala Nehru Hospital (KNH), has been closed for the last one and a half years and tests are not being conducted in the Lab for about one and a half months!
The government is working to benefit private labs and is gradually privatizing health services.
The IGMC, where the government is shifting the Kamala Nehru Hospital (KNH), already has
There is already a shortage of beds for patients in departments like Medicine, Surgery, Ortho, ENT etc.
Is it possible to shift the 270-bed KNH here and provide space?
The groups warned that if their demands are ignored, a wider public movement would be launched. “There is deep anger among women and families who rely on KNH. Disturbing a functional and trusted institution will not be accepted,” the speakers asserted.
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