State Government Sanctions Rs. 193.75 Crore for Strengthening Healthcare Infrastructure: New Critical Care Blocks and Public Health Labs Approved.
Shimla:
In a significant move to bolster the public health infrastructure and ensure accessible and quality healthcare across the state, the government has sanctioned an allocation of Rs. 193.75 crore for the establishment of two Critical Care Blocks (CCBs) and five District Integrated Public Health Laboratories (DIPHLs).
The decision was taken during a recent cabinet meeting aimed at enhancing the capacity of healthcare institutions, especially in light of lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. The newly approved CCBs will be established at the Primary Health Centre Swahan (Regional Hospital Bilaspur) and Civil Hospital Rohru in Shimla district. Each block will house 50 beds and be equipped with state-of-the-art medical facilities, including Emergency Services, Intensive Care Units (ICUs), High Dependency Units (HDUs), Isolation Beds, Dialysis Units, Labour Rooms, Operation Theatres, and Point-of-Care Laboratories.
Each of these CCBs will be constructed at a capital cost of Rs. 16.63 crore, with an additional Rs. 27.12 crore earmarked for medical equipment and infrastructure. These blocks will be integrated with the existing district hospitals and function as regular healthcare facilities under normal conditions. However, they will also have the capability to be physically isolated and converted into emergency response units during public health crises, ensuring strict infection control protocols.
In parallel, the government has greenlit the establishment of five new District Integrated Public Health Laboratories (DIPHLs) at key locations including Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru Government Medical College, Chamba, and District Hospital Hamirpur, which is affiliated with Dr. Radha Krishnan Government Medical College, Hamirpur.
These DIPHLs are designed to significantly improve the diagnostic capabilities at the district level. They will facilitate rapid testing, accurate disease surveillance, and efficient outbreak management. Each laboratory will encompass a full suite of diagnostic services including Clinical Pathology, Haematology, Cytology, Biochemistry, and Microbiology—consolidated under one roof for greater operational efficiency.
The manpower for each DIPHL will include a team of skilled professionals: one Pathologist, one Microbiologist, one Biochemist, eleven Lab Technicians, one Data Entry Operator, and two Sanitation Workers. Each lab will be built at a capital cost of Rs. 21.25 crore, with an annual recurring cost of Rs. 49.05 lakh.
Additionally, the cabinet has approved the procurement of modern equipment for the upcoming Mother and Child Hospital wings at Kamla Nehru Hospital in Shimla, Regional Hospital in Una, and Civil Hospital in Sundernagar, Mandi district. These hospitals are expected to provide specialized maternal and pediatric care once completed.
With this comprehensive push for improved critical care and diagnostic infrastructure, the state government reaffirms its commitment to creating a resilient, responsive, and inclusive healthcare system capable of addressing current challenges and future contingencies.
