Shimla is witnessing a fresh wave of anger after the Sukhu government shifted the Gynaecology OPD from Kamla Nehru Hospital (KNH) to Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), a move that many are calling a serious blow to women-centric healthcare in the state.
What was once an integrated system at KNH—where gynaecology and obstetrics functioned together for seamless care—now stands split, forcing women patients, including expectant mothers, to shuttle between two hospitals.
The decision has triggered sharp reactions not just from patients but also from the medical fraternity, which sees the separation of gynaecology from obstetrics as fundamentally flawed.
Doctors argue that maternal healthcare relies on close coordination between the two disciplines, and dividing them across facilities risks delays, confusion, and compromised care—especially in emergency situations.
On the ground, the fallout is already visible. Women patients are bearing the brunt, moving between Kamla Nehru Hospital and Indira Gandhi Medical College for consultations and treatment, adding physical strain and emotional stress at a vulnerable time. For many families, this logistical burden is turning into a healthcare nightmare.
Adding to the intensifying unrest, BJP workers staged a protest right inside the premises of Kamla Nehru Hospital, raising slogans against Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and demanding an immediate rollback of the decision. The protest quickly turned into a charged demonstration, reflecting the growing public anger and political mobilisation around the issue.
Politically, the issue has snowballed further with both BJP and CPM hitting the streets, staging protests and sit-ins, accusing the government of taking an “anti-women” decision without understanding the basics of maternal healthcare delivery. Protesters have warned that the agitation will intensify if the decision is not reversed.
Critics say the move reflects a worrying disconnect between policy decisions and ground realities. The opposition has gone a step further, stating that if Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu fails to restore the OPD to KNH, he risks being remembered for a decision that fragmented one of the most critical healthcare services for women.
Medical experts, meanwhile, remain unequivocal: splitting gynaecology and obstetrics is not just impractical—it is unacceptable.
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