Women Rise in Protest Over KNH Service Shift, Begin 24-Hour Sit-In in Shimla

Shimla witnessed growing unrest today as the All India Democratic Women’s Committee launched a 24-hour sit-in protest at Kamla Nehru Hospital (KNH), raising strong objections to the government’s decision to shift the Gynecology OPD to IGMC.

The issue has been simmering for days. Earlier, on April 13, the committee had already staged a powerful protest at KNH. However, just two days later, a statement from the Chief Minister clarified that only the gynecology ward—not the maternal and child OPD—would be shifted. This clarification, instead of calming concerns, has further fueled confusion and anger among members of the committee.

At the heart of the protest lies a simple question: why shift services instead of improving them? The government has cited lack of facilities at KNH as the primary reason. But the Women’s Committee argues that strengthening KNH would have been a far better solution than relocating essential services. They see the move as unfair to women, especially those who rely heavily on KNH for specialized care.

Kamla Nehru Hospital holds a special place in Himachal Pradesh’s healthcare system. It is the state’s only dedicated maternal and child hospital, catering to women who often travel long distances, overcoming significant challenges, just to reach Shimla. For many, KNH is not just a hospital—it is a lifeline.

The committee also raised medical concerns. Gynecology patients require careful attention, proper hygiene, and even adequate sunlight during recovery. Moving them to IGMC, a facility already burdened with heavy patient flow across multiple departments, could increase the risk of infections and compromise the quality of care.

Another key concern is overcrowding. IGMC already sees a high influx of patients from across the state, and adding more load could make access to treatment even more difficult—particularly for women who need timely and sensitive care. The committee strongly believes that women deserve comprehensive treatment under one roof, something KNH has traditionally provided.

With their demands unmet, the committee has now intensified its protest. They are calling for the immediate return of the Gynecology OPD to KNH and restoration of services with proper facilities, as they existed earlier.

The tone of the protest is firm and determined. Members have warned that if the government does not reconsider its decision, the agitation will escalate. A larger protest at IGMC is already planned for April 30. Beyond that, the committee is prepared to mobilize women from across Himachal Pradesh and even lay siege to the Secretariat if necessary.

“This is not just about a hospital—it’s about women’s healthcare and dignity,” one of the protestors expressed during the sit-in.

Today’s demonstration saw active participation from several members, including Sonia Shabarwal, Falma Chauhan, Rama Rawat, Himi Thakur, Ranjana Jarret, Sunidhi, Divya Sharma, Sharda Sharma, Palak Shandil, Deepa, Dolly, Mala, Savitri, and many others.

The protest began at 11 AM today and will continue till 11 AM tomorrow, after which the committee is expected to announce its next course of action.