SHIMLA – The serene streets of Himachal Pradesh’s capital were filled with the echoes of dissent on Thursday as a massive joint protest was staged outside the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC). The demonstration, led by the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) and the Shimla Nagarik Sabha, was a direct response to recent government decisions regarding healthcare accessibility and hospital restructuring.
Hundreds of activists, residents, and healthcare workers gathered to voice their opposition to two primary issues: a significant hike in diagnostic and patient charges at government hospitals and the controversial decision to shift the Gynecology Department from the historic Kamla Nehru Hospital (KNH) to the IGMC.
Healthcare Costs Under Fire
Protesters highlighted a “steep and insensitive” increase in the costs of medical tests and services within state-run facilities. According to AIDWA State President Ranjana Jaret and Secretary Falma Chauhan, these hikes place an unbearable financial burden on the common citizen, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds who rely entirely on the public health system.
The demonstrators demanded an immediate rollback of the increased fees, arguing that healthcare is a fundamental right that should not be commodified or priced out of reach for the general public.
The Battle for Kamla Nehru Hospital (KNH)
The most contentious point of the protest remains the bifurcation of the Obstetrics and Gynecology department. The state government recently announced plans to move the Gynecology unit from the century-old Kamla Nehru Hospital (popularly known as the Lady Reading Hospital) to IGMC, citing the availability of advanced facilities like robotic surgery at the latter.
However, this move has met with stiff resistance from both activists and the medical fraternity:
- Patient Inconvenience: Protesters alleged that the relocation has turned women patients into “footballs,” forcing them to shuttle between two different hospitals for related treatments.
- Operational Integrity: Medical experts and the State Association of Medical and Dental College Teachers (SAMDCOT) have pointed out that Obstetrics and Gynecology function as a single, inseparable unit. Splitting them, they argue, compromises patient safety and academic training for medical students.
- Historical Legacy: KNH has been a dedicated mother-and-child care center for over a hundred years. Residents feel that shifting its core departments undermines the hospital’s historical significance and its role as a specialized sanctuary for women’s health.
Government Stance vs. Public Sentiment
The Himachal Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has defended the decision by stating that the shift is intended to provide better treatment outcomes through modernized technology. Officials argue that consolidating services at IGMC will allow patients to access high-end medical equipment that KNH currently lacks.
In contrast, the Shimla Nagarik Sabha and CPI(M) leaders, including former Mayor Sanjay Chauhan, have slammed the move as “thoughtless.” They suggest that instead of moving the department, the government should invest in upgrading the infrastructure at Kamla Nehru Hospital itself, including the long-pending proposals for an IVF center and a new hospital wing.
A Growing Agitation
The protest on Thursday saw participation from a wide spectrum of society, including doctors, paramedics, and local political organizations. Many hospital staff members at KNH have also been seen performing their duties while wearing black ribbons as a mark of silent protest.
As the rally concluded outside the IGMC gates, AIDWA leaders warned that if the government does not reconsider its stance, the agitation will be intensified across the state. They have called for a “Secretariat March” in the coming weeks to bring their grievances directly to the seat of power.
The standoff highlights a critical challenge for the state administration: balancing the drive for medical modernization with the need to preserve heritage and ensure that healthcare remains both integrated and affordable for the people of Himachal Pradesh.
