Women Hit the Streets Over Shift of KNH Gynaecology OPD, Demand Immediate Rollback

Hundreds of women from across Shimla took to the streets on Tuesday under the banner of the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), protesting the state government’s decision to shift the gynaecology OPD from Kamla Nehru Hospital (KNH) to Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC). The protesters termed the move anti-women and demanded that the decision be reversed immediately.

The demonstration began at Talland, with women marching towards the State Secretariat while raising slogans against the government. Tension briefly escalated when protesters attempted to move closer to the Secretariat, leading to a scuffle with police personnel deployed at the site.

AIDWA state president Ranjana Jaret alleged that the OPD was shifted overnight without adequate planning, creating confusion and hardship for women patients. According to her, many women are now being sent from IGMC back to KNH for treatment, leaving them caught between hospitals and adding to their distress.

The association accused the government of weakening healthcare services for women instead of strengthening them. Jaret urged the government to develop a third-phase building at KNH itself and upgrade the hospital with advanced facilities such as robotic surgery and an IVF centre, ensuring that women receive specialised care at a single dedicated location.

AIDWA general secretary Falma Chauhan further alleged that the government was gradually undermining the historic women’s hospital. She claimed that while residences for ministers were being planned in the area, several government hospitals continued to struggle with inadequate infrastructure, malfunctioning diagnostic equipment and staff shortages, forcing women to travel long distances for treatment.

Following the protest, an AIDWA delegation met Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri and submitted a memorandum detailing its demands. Agnihotri assured the delegation that the concerns raised would be examined and discussed during the Cabinet meeting scheduled for September 22.

However, the association has made it clear that the issue is far from over. AIDWA leaders warned that if the government fails to address their concerns and restore the gynaecology OPD at KNH, the agitation could intensify in the coming weeks, turning the healthcare issue into a larger public movement centred on women’s access to medical services.