Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], January 18 : Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday announced a decisive and far-reaching overhaul of the health sector, asserting that revolutionary changes would be visible within one year and that Himachal Pradesh would emerge as the country's number one state in healthcare services within the next three years.
Addressing a first-of-its-kind State-Level Health Dialogue Session at Peterhoff, Shimla, the Chief Minister said that the State Government would spend Rs.1300 crore under JICA Phase-II to strengthen healthcare delivery. Nearly Rs. 3,000 crore would be invested over the next three years to equip health institutions with world-class high-end medical technology, as stated in the release.
For the first time in the State's history, a direct and extended interaction was held among the Chief Minister, Chief Medical Officers (CMOs), Block Medical Officers (BMOs), and Medical Superintendents (MSs).
According to the release, the marathon dialogue session lasted nearly four-and-a-half hours, during which the Chief Minister engaged in detailed discussions on grassroots challenges, operational issues, and policy-level reforms. Several key decisions were taken on the spot, ensuring immediate resolution of long-pending matters.
Emphasising that strong health administration is the backbone of quality healthcare, the Chief Minister announced decentralisation of administrative and financial powers. CMOs, BMOs, and MSs would be vested with enhanced financial authority, while necessary amendments would be introduced to the Financial Rules to make procedures simpler, faster, and more effective.
He said that financial and decision-making powers related to sanitation arrangements in health institutions would be delegated to CMOs. Special dedicated funds would also be created for CMOs and MSs to meet urgent and essential hospital requirements.
The Chief Minister announced that the State Government would actively consider increasing the salary of Job Trainee Doctors. He informed that recruitment of 236 doctors is currently underway, and 150 additional posts have already been sanctioned. To ensure complete transparency, marks from both written examinations and interviews will be included in the final merit list.
Reiterating the Government's commitment to systemic transformation, Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the impact of reforms would be clearly visible within a year. "Within the next three years, Himachal Pradesh will set national benchmarks in healthcare delivery," he asserted.
He said that Model Health Institutions being developed across the state would act as game changers for the healthcare ecosystem. These institutions would be equipped with globally benchmarked high-end technology. Medical equipment older than 15 years would be replaced, significantly improving patient care and reducing doctors' workload. Operation Theatre facilities would be ensured in every Model Health Institution.
The Chief Minister further announced that security arrangements in all health institutions would be strengthened through the Ex-Servicemen Corporation. Rationalisation of Primary Health Centres and Delivery Points would be carried out on the basis of clearly defined parameters to improve efficiency and accessibility.
He directed that construction work on health institution buildings, which has achieved more than 60 per cent progress, must be completed by 31st March, 2026, without fail.
Highlighting quality standards, the Chief Minister said that all medical equipment would be procured strictly in accordance with AIIMS specifications. CT Scan machines would be purchased with a ten-year comprehensive maintenance guarantee.
He stated that advanced technologies, such as robotic surgery and smart laboratories, are being integrated into the State's healthcare system. Robotic surgery has already commenced at Chamiyana and Tanda hospitals and will soon be introduced at Nerchowk and Hamirpur Medical Colleges. So far, 120 successful robotic surgeries have been performed at Chamiyana Hospital alone.
The State Government will invest Rs. 75 crore in establishing Smart Labs to enable multiple diagnostic tests from a single blood sample, thereby ensuring faster, more accurate, and patient-friendly diagnostics.
The Chief Minister said that meaningful reforms would also be introduced in the Rogi Kalyan Samitis. The audit of the HIMCARE scheme is underway, and the scheme will be strengthened further. Medical Superintendents would also be empowered to issue up to 100 HIMCARE cards.
Underscoring the human aspect of healthcare, he said that doctors must display compassion, sensitivity and calm behaviour, as humane conduct plays a crucial role in the healing process and boosts patients' mental well-being.
Health Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil, while addressing the gathering, expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for according highest priority to the health sector. He added that multi-pronged efforts are underway to deliver high-quality services in Model Health Institutions.
Secretary, Health, Priyanka Basu Ingty, welcomed the Chief Minister and shared key departmental insights, while Director, Health Services, Gopal Berry, presented a detailed overview of the progress achieved by the Health Department.
Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani, Ayush Minister Yadvinder Goma, MLAs Suresh Kumar and Vivek Sharma, Advocate General Anup Rattan, Mission Director, NHM, Pradeep Thakur, President of the Himachal Medical Officers Association, Rajesh Rana, and other senior officers were present on the occasion.