Shimla: Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the state government was strengthening healthcare infrastructure across district hospitals and all seven government medical colleges to ensure quality medical services closer to people’s homes. Chairing a high-level meeting of the Health Department here today, the Chief Minister said that district hospitals play a pivotal role in delivering accessible and timely healthcare services. He said that, as part of this initiative, the state government would install 1.5 Tesla MRI machines at Regional Hospitals Bilaspur, Kullu, Una and Solan, District Hospital Kinnaur, Dr. Y.S. Parmar Government Medical College and Hospital, Nahan, Zonal Hospital Dharamshala and Civil Hospital Palampur. He said that advanced 3 Tesla MRI machines were being installed in the government medical colleges to further strengthen specialized diagnostic services across the state.
He further said that digital Mammography machines would also be installed at District Hospitals Nahan and Hamirpur, Regional Hospitals Bilaspur and Solan along with the Zonal Hospital Dharamshala to enhance diagnostic facilities.
Sukhu said that the procurement process for 42 handheld X-ray machines is underway, of which 14 have already been received. These machines would be deployed across the state, particularly in remote and far-flung areas, for chest screening and early detection of tuberculosis. He said that the initiative would facilitate timely diagnosis and treatment, thereby improving health outcomes.
The Chief Minister said that 256-slice high-end CT Scan machines would be installed at Atal Institute of Medical Super Specialty, Chamiyana, IGMC Shimla, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda, Dr. Radhakrishnan Government Medical College, Hamirpur and Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College, Ner Chowk. In addition, digital X-ray and 4D ultrasound machines would be provided to various healthcare institutions across the state. He directed the department to ensure that all medical equipment procured meets the highest quality standards at par with AIIMS, New Delhi. He also directed to strengthen radiology departments in all government medical colleges to provide advanced diagnostic and specialized healthcare services.
Reviewing the staffing position in the Health Department, the Chief Minister said that the government was expediting the recruitment of doctors, paramedical personnel and technicians to improve healthcare delivery. He said that all seven medical colleges would soon be equipped with the required paramedical staff. He also reviewed the progress of procurement of quality medicines and directed the department to expedite the process. He said the state government’s commitment to providing world-class healthcare facilities within Himachal Pradesh so that people need not travel outside the state for getting specialized treatment.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil, Principal Advisor (Media) to the Chief Minister Naresh Chauhan, Chief Secretary K.K. Pant, Principal Secretary M. Sudha Devi, Secretary to the Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar, Mission Director, NHM, Pradeep Thakur, Director Health Services Dr. Gopal Berry and other senior officers were present in the meeting.
