Robotic Surgery Marks Himachal Government’s Vision for Transforming Healthcare: CM Sukhu.
Shimla:
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the state government has undertaken a series of major reforms over the past three and a half years to strengthen healthcare, education and the rural economy, with a focus on providing better services and greater opportunities to people, particularly those from economically weaker sections.
Speaking at the ‘Himachal Ratan’ programme organised by Divya Himachal Newspapers Group, the Chief Minister said the government was working to bring rapid transformation across these sectors while ensuring affordable and advanced healthcare facilities within the state.
Robotic surgery at affordable cost
Sukhu said the introduction of AIIMS-level robotic surgery facilities represented the government’s vision of transforming healthcare services in Himachal Pradesh.
He said robotic surgery, which can cost around Rs 6–7 lakh in the private sector, is being provided in Himachal Pradesh for approximately Rs 30,000 to Rs 80,000, making advanced surgical treatment considerably more affordable for patients.
The facility has been introduced in medical colleges across the state, where more than 700 robotic surgeries have already been performed, he said.
The Chief Minister added that 3-Tesla MRI machines have been installed in all medical colleges. The government aims to eliminate waiting lists for MRI, CT scans and X-rays within the next six months.
Automated laboratories are also planned in all medical colleges within the next four months. According to the Chief Minister, the facilities will allow multiple diagnostic tests to be conducted using a single blood sample, improving efficiency and reducing inconvenience for patients.
More medical seats and healthcare infrastructure
Sukhu said the state government was financing these healthcare reforms from its own resources.
An Allied Health College is being established in Hamirpur, while 320 additional postgraduate medical seats are being added in the state this year.
He also said the government was considering increasing doctors’ salaries and providing non-practising allowance (NPA) according to requirements.
CBSE schools to get teachers by September 15
On education reforms, the Chief Minister said government schools were being strengthened with the objective of enabling them to compete with private institutions in providing quality education.
He said more than 150 CBSE schools had been opened by the state government and teachers with more than 80 per cent merit were being appointed.
Sukhu announced that the recruitment process for teachers in these CBSE schools would be completed by September 15 this year.
Focus on rural economy and social security
The Chief Minister also highlighted the government’s efforts to strengthen social security and the rural economy.
He said Himachal Pradesh provides ecological services worth approximately Rs 90,000 crore to the country, and the state government was pursuing its rights and interests before the appropriate forums.
Sukhu further said that despite an annual reduction of Rs 8,000 crore in the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG), the government had ensured that there was no delay in payment of salaries to employees or pensions to pensioners.
Three new towns planned
The state government is also planning to develop three new towns, Sukhu said, while reducing the size of the administrative machinery.
He said the objective was to ensure that more public funds could be directed towards development and the welfare of citizens.
Himachal Ratan awards presented
During the programme, Chief Minister Sukhu conferred the Himachal Ratan Puruskar on 13 distinguished personalities in recognition of their outstanding contributions in their respective fields.
Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania, MLA Sanjay Awasthi, Himachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board Chairman Nardev Kanwar, Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Commission Member Vijay Pal Singh, State Women Commission Chairperson Vidya Negi, Additional Chief Secretary Onkar Chand Sharma, Divya Himachal Editor-in-Chief Anil Soni and other dignitaries attended the programme.
The Chief Minister said the government’s initiatives in healthcare, education and the rural economy were part of a broader effort to improve public services, strengthen infrastructure and ensure that the benefits of development reached people across Himachal Pradesh.
