CM Sukhu Launches Intensified Pulse Polio Campaign in Shimla; Announces Advanced Pediatric Centre and Special OPD for Senior Citizens.
Shimla:
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday launched the state-level Intensified Pulse Polio Campaign at Kamla Nehru Hospital, Shimla, on the occasion of National Immunization Day. Marking the launch, the Chief Minister administered polio drops to young children and reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to maintaining Himachal Pradesh’s polio-free status.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister lauded the collective efforts of doctors, anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, ANMs, Panchayati Raj institutions, school teachers and the district administration for the successful organization of the campaign. He said that such coordinated efforts were crucial to safeguarding the health of children and strengthening preventive healthcare.
Highlighting major healthcare initiatives, CM Sukhu announced that an Advanced Pediatric Centre would be established at the Atal Institute of Medical Super Specialities (AIMSS), Chamiyana. The centre will be equipped with modern infrastructure and world-class facilities to provide advanced treatment to children across the state.
In another significant step aimed at improving healthcare access for the elderly, the CM announced that special OPD consultation slots would be introduced in hospitals for senior citizens above 70 years of age. This initiative will ensure that elderly patients do not have to wait for long hours and can receive timely and convenient medical attention.
The CM said that education and health remain the top priorities of the State Government. He emphasized that health services were being strengthened at all levels—from primary health centres to medical colleges—through the adoption of world-class technology and modern infrastructure. He added that vacant posts in the health department were being filled in a phased manner to further improve medical services.
Elaborating on the Pulse Polio Campaign, he said that its primary objective was to sustain the state’s polio-free status. Under the campaign, nearly six lakh children in the zero to five years age group will be administered polio drops at 5,793 polio booths across Himachal Pradesh. To ensure smooth implementation, 11,706 vaccination teams have been deployed throughout the state.
The CM informed that mop-up days would be observed on December 22 and 23, during which door-to-door visits would be conducted to cover missed children, migrant families and high-risk areas. He assured that all necessary vaccines, cold-chain equipment and logistics had already been supplied to all districts.
Reiterating the government’s focus on modernizing healthcare, CM Sukhu said that robotic surgery had been introduced as a historic initiative at AIMSS Chamiyana in Shimla and Tanda Medical College in Kangra district. He added that outdated medical equipment was being replaced from medical colleges to civil hospitals, and nearly Rs. 3,000 crore was being spent on installing MRI, CT scan and X-ray machines across the state.
He further stated that health services in Himachal Pradesh were being upgraded on the lines of AIIMS Delhi, and modern trauma centres equipped with advanced facilities had been established to provide better and timely care to patients.
On the occasion, the CM also interacted with patients and their attendants at Kamla Nehru Hospital and issued necessary directions to the concerned officers for improving healthcare delivery.
Health Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil, MLA Harish Janartha, Secretary Sandeep Kadam, Managing Director NHM Pradeep Thakur, Director Health Dr. Gopal Beri, Director Health Education Dr. Rakesh Sharma, and other senior officers were present during the event.
