Preneeta
Shimla
A major administrative lapse at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) has left patients, especially women, facing severe hardship after the gynecology OPD was abruptly shifted from Kamla Nehru Hospital without proper arrangements.
According to reports, the OPD was relocated without prior preparation, resulting in a complete breakdown of basic facilities. Patients arriving for treatment were met with overcrowded corridors, lack of seating, and no clear system for consultations. Many women reportedly wandered throughout the day in search of care, only to return home without receiving treatment.
The situation worsened as no operation theatre (OT) was available for scheduled procedures. As a result, not a single surgery could be conducted from Friday onwards, leaving patients in distress and uncertainty. Those who had been given prior dates for operations were forced to wait indefinitely or return disappointed.
Patients and their attendants have raised serious concerns over the lack of planning, alleging that the shift has created confusion, mismanagement, and unnecessary suffering. The absence of even basic amenities like seating arrangements and proper guidance reflects poorly on hospital administration.
Adding to the frustration, many patients claimed that costly robotic surgeries are being promoted, which are beyond the financial reach of common people. They alleged that affordable treatment options are being sidelined, forcing economically weaker patients into difficult choices.
The incident has sparked outrage among the public, with demands for accountability and immediate corrective measures. Critics argue that such careless decisions in a critical healthcare setup highlight systemic negligence and disregard for patient welfare.
With mounting pressure, the hospital administration has assured that operation theatres will be made functional soon. However, for the patients who suffered due to the chaos, the damage has already been done.
