Himachal Pradesh Set for Historic Health Sector Transformation: Chief Minister Announces Major Reforms.
Shimla:
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu yesterday announced a decisive and far-reaching transformation of the health sector, stating that revolutionary changes would be visible within one year and that Himachal Pradesh would emerge as the country’s leading 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 the State Government will invest Rs. 1,300 crore under JICA Phase-II to strengthen healthcare delivery. Additionally, nearly Rs. 3,000 crore will be spent over the next three years to equip health institutions with world-class, high-end medical technology.
For the first time in the state’s history, an extended direct interaction was held between the Chief Minister and Chief Medical Officers, Block Medical Officers and Medical Superintendents. The nearly four-and-a-half-hour dialogue focused on grassroots challenges, operational bottlenecks and policy reforms, with several long-pending issues resolved on the spot.
Emphasizing that strong administration is the backbone of quality healthcare, the Chief Minister announced major decentralization of administrative and financial powers. Enhanced financial authority will be given to CMOs, BMOs and MSs, supported by amendments to Financial Rules to ensure faster and simpler procedures. Financial and decision-making powers for sanitation in health institutions will be delegated to CMOs, while special funds will be created for CMOs and MSs to meet urgent hospital needs.
The Chief Minister said the government is considering an increase in salaries of Job Trainee Doctors. Recruitment of 236 doctors is underway, while 150 additional posts have already been sanctioned. To ensure transparency, marks of both written examinations and interviews will be included in the final merit list.
Model Health Institutions across the state will be upgraded with globally benchmarked technology. Medical equipment older than 15 years will be replaced, operation theatre facilities ensured, and security strengthened through the Ex-Servicemen Corporation. Construction works of health buildings with over 60 percent progress must be completed by March 31, 2026.
He said all equipment will be procured as per AIIMS standards. Robotic surgery has already begun at Chamiyana and Tanda and will soon start at Nerchowk and Hamirpur. So far, 120 robotic surgeries have been successfully performed at Chamiyana. The government will invest Rs. 75 crore in Smart Labs to enable advanced diagnostics from a single blood sample.
Health Minister Dhani Ram Shandil thanked the Chief Minister for prioritizing healthcare. Secretary Health Priyanka Basu Ingty and Director Health Services Gopal Berry shared departmental updates. Several ministers, MLAs and senior officials attended the session.
