The Himachal Pradesh high court on Wednesday stayed the shifting of the gynaecology OPD and other departments of the 102-year-old Kamla Nehru Hospital in Shimla to Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla.
Court Order During PIL Hearing
The order was passed during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Falma Chauhan, secretary of the All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA). The PIL challenged the state government's decision to relocate these departments.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin Chander Negi heard the matter. While issuing notice to the state government, the court directed the principal secretary of the health department to explain the reasons for the proposed shifting and inform the court about its likely impact on patients.
Arguments by Petitioner
The petitioner's counsel argued that Kamla Nehru Hospital had provided specialised healthcare services to women and children for decades, catering to patients from remote areas of the hill state. It was submitted that shifting departments to IGMC would cause inconvenience to patients and affect the hospital's historic identity.
Next Hearing and Protests
The matter has been listed for hearing on May 28. Earlier, several women's organisations had protested against the state government's proposed move in Shimla.
