BJP Accuses State Government of Ignoring Basic Healthcare While Promoting Robotic Surgery.
Shimla:
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has criticized the Himachal Pradesh government for prioritizing expensive medical technology like robotic surgery while basic healthcare facilities in the state’s hospitals remain inadequate. BJP chief spokesperson Rakesh Jamwal accused the Congress-led government of ignoring essential health services and misleading the public with what he termed “showpiece projects.”
Jamwal said that Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu recently launched a robotic surgery unit at the medical college in Nerchowk, but the ground reality in many hospitals is far from satisfactory. According to him, several hospitals lack basic infrastructure, and in some places even radiology departments remain shut. In hospitals where radiologists are available, the department often becomes non-functional if the lone specialist goes on leave.
He also pointed out that many major hospitals in the state still do not have essential facilities like cath labs, and patients often face long waiting periods for MRI scans. Jamwal further alleged that there is a shortage of trained personnel required to operate robotic surgery systems, including specialized surgeons and technical staff.
The BJP leader claimed that robotic surgery is not covered under government health schemes such as Himcare and Ayushman Bharat, meaning the benefit may not reach common citizens.
He also alleged that pending payments to hospitals under these schemes have not been released, causing some hospitals to hesitate in treating beneficiaries. Jamwal urged the state government to focus on strengthening basic healthcare services, filling doctor vacancies, and improving diagnostic facilities instead of investing in expensive technologies primarily for publicity.
