Himachal to Launch Statewide Palliative Care Campaign for Elderly: CM Sukhu.
Shimla:
In a major step towards improving healthcare accessibility for the elderly and chronically ill, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced that the Himachal Pradesh government will soon launch a comprehensive palliative care campaign to deliver doorstep medical services across the state. The initiative aims to address the pressing need for home-based healthcare, especially for senior citizens and patients requiring long-term care.
Presiding over a high-level review meeting of the Health Department, CM Sukhu emphasized the importance of identifying eligible beneficiaries, particularly the elderly who need consistent palliative support. “Our aim is to deliver compassionate healthcare at the doorstep of those who need it most,” the Chief Minister stated.
Home-Based Medical Teams to be Deployed
To ensure effective implementation, ASHA workers and Community Health Officers (CHOs) will carry out ground-level identification of patients. Once shortlisted, a dedicated medical team—comprising a medical officer, physiotherapist from Aadarsh Swasthya Sansthan, and CHOs—will visit each beneficiary to devise a tailored treatment plan. This process of identification and planning is expected to be completed within three months of the campaign’s launch.
Establishment of Palliative Care Hubs
The campaign also includes the establishment of palliative and elderly care hubs at every Aadarsh Swasthya Sansthan. Each hub will be manned by two medical officers, two nurses, one physiotherapist, and a counselor, who will also conduct quarterly home visits to monitor and support the beneficiaries, ensuring consistent care and timely interventions.
Strengthening Health Coverage: Himcare & Ayushman Bharat
The Chief Minister also reviewed the progress of Himcare and Ayushman Bharat schemes and directed officials to integrate them effectively through the Him Parivar number, making health coverage more streamlined and inclusive.
In a significant policy update, new Himcare applications will now be accepted quarterly, with health cards being issued in the last month of each quarter. Moreover, Principals of Medical Colleges and Medical Superintendents have been authorized to directly recommend the issuance of Himcare cards for up to 100 critical patients in their respective hospitals, expediting urgent medical support.
Expansion of Dialysis Infrastructure
Adding to the state’s healthcare infrastructure, the Chief Minister announced the establishment of 49 new dialysis centres in Aadarsh Swasthya Sansthans at a projected cost of Rs. 41.62 crore. These centres will significantly enhance the treatment capabilities for patients with chronic kidney disease and related ailments.
Senior Officials Present
The meeting was attended by Health and Family Welfare Minister Col. (Dr.) Dhani Ram Shandil, Health Secretary M. Sudha Devi, Director Health and Family Welfare Dr. Ashwani Kumar Sharma, Director Medical Education Dr. Rakesh Sharma, Special Secretary Neeraj Kumar, and other senior health officials.
With this landmark initiative, Himachal Pradesh is set to become a pioneer in community-based palliative and elderly care, reflecting the government’s commitment to inclusive and humane healthcare delivery.
