Over 2,400 appointments made to strengthen healthcare services across state
Shimla: Principal Advisor (Media) to the Chief Minister, Naresh Chauhan, while addressing a press conference here today, said that the state government has brought significant changes to the healthcare sector under the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. He said healthcare, along with education and rural development, has remained among the government’s top priorities.
He said that despite inheriting a financially stressed system, the government remained committed to its vision of Vyavastha Parivartan. The State Government has strengthened the healthcare sector by introducing modern technology, upgrading infrastructure and enhancing human resources. He said that 70 health institutions are being developed as Adarsh Swasthya Sansthans to provide specialist and diagnostic services, ensuring affordable and quality healthcare closer to the people’s doorsteps.
Naresh Chauhan said that Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in the country to introduce robotic surgery in the government sector. Apart from this government was working to equip hospitals with world-class facilities, including 3 Tesla MRI machines in all government medical colleges and have already installed in IGMC Shimla, AIMSS Chamyana and 1.5 Tesla MRI machines in district and regional hospitals, besides PET Scan, CT Scan and advanced cancer care systems replacing the 16 to 20 years old equipments.
He said that nearly Rs. 3,000 crore was being invested to strengthen healthcare infrastructure. Besides, advanced diagnostic services, trauma, cancer and critical care facilities were being upgraded to global standards and at par with AIMS Delhi. He said the state government was implementing major healthcare infrastructure projects with assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Under Phase-I, projects worth around Rs. 1,710 crore were being executed for procurement of advanced medical equipment and infrastructure development, while a proposal worth over Rs. 1,600 crore has been submitted under Phase-II. The projects include advanced pediatric healthcare facilities, a modern dental hospital and further strengthening of government medical colleges.
He said equal emphasis has been laid on strengthening healthcare manpower. During the last three and a half years, 2,432 appointments have been made in government medical colleges, including doctors, specialists, faculty members, nurses, paramedical, ministerial and support staff. Besides this, 218 Senior Resident and Tutor Specialist posts have been created. The government has also substantially enhanced the remuneration of Senior Residents and Tutor Specialists to attract and retain talented doctors in government hospitals, thereby improving specialized healthcare services across the state.
Naresh Chauhan said the government has also significantly expanded medical education to address the shortage of specialists. The total number of postgraduate medical seats in government medical colleges has been proposed to increase from 277 to 597. Similarly, B.Sc. Medical Laboratory Technology, Radiology & Imaging, Anaesthesia and Operation Theatre Technology seats have also been substantially increased to create a skilled healthcare workforce for the future.
Naresh Chauhan said the previous BJP government left behind severe financial mismanagement, resulting in mounting liabilities and irregularities in healthcare schemes such as HimCare and Ayushman Bharat. There was no scientific mechanism for determining treatment packages or surgery rates, leading to financial indiscipline and delays in payments. The present government has undertaken comprehensive reforms to remove these loopholes and establish a transparent, accountable and sustainable system.
He said that the government is streamlining HimCare and Ayushman Bharat through a transparent and efficient reimbursement mechanism to ensure timely settlement of claims. He added that Rs. 212 crore has recently been released towards pending medical reimbursement claims of government employees, while dues under HimCare and Ayushman Bharat will also be cleared shortly.
Apart from this the present government was working to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and transforming the entire healthcare ecosystem. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the government was leaving no stone unturned to ensure that quality and affordable healthcare reaches every doorstep in the state.
