Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday underlined the State Government’s firm commitment to strengthening healthcare services and upgrading medical infrastructure across Himachal Pradesh, while presiding over a detailed review meeting of the Health Department. The meeting focused on improving the quality of treatment in government health institutions, expanding access to advanced medical technology and ensuring that patients receive timely and efficient care without unnecessary hardship.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister said that the government was making sustained and focused efforts to modernise the healthcare system in the state. He announced that from April onwards, the process of procuring world-class, technology-enabled medical equipment would begin in health institutions across Himachal Pradesh. This large-scale upgradation is expected to involve an expenditure of approximately Rs. 3,000 crore and aims to significantly enhance diagnostic and treatment capabilities in government hospitals.
The Chief Minister stated that strengthening diagnostic services was a key priority of the government. He said efforts were being made to address the shortage of doctors and paramedical staff, which often creates pressure on existing facilities and affects patient care. He informed that the recruitment process to fill vacant posts in various health institutions was already underway and assured that additional posts would be created wherever required, based on ground-level assessment and patient load.
Highlighting the introduction of advanced medical procedures in the state, Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that PET scan and robotic surgery facilities would soon be started at Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, Shimla. He added that robotic surgery services had already been made available to patients at the Super Specialty Hospital, Chamiyana, and Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda. These facilities, he said, would reduce the need for patients to travel outside the state for advanced treatment and would also help in improving clinical outcomes.
The Chief Minister further said that the State Government was strengthening the ‘Aadarsh Swasthya Sansthan’ initiative with the objective of providing better healthcare services closer to people’s homes. He emphasized that quality healthcare should not be limited to major cities alone and that rural and remote areas must also have access to reliable and modern medical facilities.
One of the significant decisions taken during the meeting was the creation of a training and leave reserve quota of 300 doctors in the Department of Health Services. The Chief Minister directed that this quota be established to ensure that healthcare services do not suffer due to vacancies arising when doctors proceed on postgraduate courses or long-term training. He said that such vacancies should be filled promptly so that patient care remains uninterrupted.
Addressing issues related to medical education, the Chief Minister directed that smaller batches should be formed for medical students and that no class should have more than 60 students. He said the State Government would assist in the construction of new lecture theatres to ensure that quality education is imparted in medical colleges. He also stressed the need for upgradation of facilities in all medical colleges, stating that strong medical education infrastructure was essential for producing skilled and competent doctors.
Reiterating that strengthening healthcare infrastructure was among the top priorities of his government, Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the introduction of modern equipment would greatly improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes. He stated that the government’s focus was to provide quality health services in all regions of the state, particularly in remote and rural areas, so that patients do not have to travel long distances for advanced medical care.
He said the government was working with a clear roadmap to ensure that every health institution is equipped with better facilities, adequate manpower and improved diagnostic services. The Chief Minister observed that the steps being taken would not only enhance patient care but also improve the working environment for doctors and healthcare staff, which in turn would contribute to better service delivery.
The Chief Minister directed the Health Department to ensure timely implementation of all approved initiatives so that their benefits reach the public at the earliest. He remarked that improving medical education and ensuring sufficient infrastructure in medical colleges were equally important for strengthening the healthcare system in the long run.
Secretary Health M. Sudha Devi, Special Secretary Ashwani Kumar, Director AYUSH Nipun Jindal, Director Medical Education Dr. Rakesh Sharma, Director Health Services Dr. Gopal Berry and other senior officers attended the meeting and participated in discussions on the proposed reforms and initiatives.
