Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has directed the Health Department to significantly expand the use of online facilities in public health services, underlining the state government’s commitment to accessible, efficient and citizen-centric healthcare delivery. Chairing a high-level review meeting with senior officers from the Health Department, National Health Mission and the Directorate of Medical Education, the Chief Minister stressed that digital integration in healthcare was no longer optional but essential for improving service quality and administrative efficiency.
To give concrete shape to this initiative, the Chief Minister announced the constitution of a dedicated committee under the chairmanship of Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. (Colonel) Dhani Ram Shandil. The committee has been tasked with identifying key areas where online systems can be introduced or strengthened and will submit its recommendations within ten days. The focus, he said, would be on creating a robust digital framework that simplifies access to healthcare services for people across the state.
Emphasizing the practical benefits of digitisation, CM Sukhu said that online health services would save both time and resources for patients as well as healthcare providers, while ensuring better quality of services. He specifically directed the development of an online patient registration system for hospitals and health institutions, aimed at reducing overcrowding, long queues and procedural delays.
The Chief Minister also underlined the need to strengthen data integration under the Himcare Scheme. He directed that beneficiary mapping should be carried out up to the panchayat level and that detailed information related to patients’ treatment should be digitally recorded. In a major step towards integrated digital governance, he further instructed that the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) card be linked with the Him Parivar Portal, creating a unified digital health and welfare ecosystem.
According to the Chief Minister, such digital initiatives would enhance transparency and accountability in the health system. They would also make monitoring of services more effective, improve record management and significantly strengthen grievance redressal mechanisms. He noted that the availability of reliable digital data would enable better planning, evidence-based decision-making and more efficient administration of health services.
Highlighting the broader vision behind the reforms, CM Sukhu said that the expansion of online health services would encourage innovation within the system and help the state move closer to its goal of ensuring healthy citizens and building a strong, resilient Himachal Pradesh. He added that the state government was also strengthening health infrastructure with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which would further improve the quality and reach of medical services.
The meeting was attended by Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. (Colonel) Dhani Ram Shandil, Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister for Innovation, Digital Technology and Governance Gokul Butail, Secretary to the Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar, Health Secretary Priyanka Basu Ingty and other senior officers. The discussions reflected the government’s intent to fast-track healthcare reforms through technology-driven solutions, ensuring that quality health services reach people in every corner of the state.
