The Himachal Pradesh government will invest ₹1,300 crore to strengthen the state’s healthcare delivery system, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced while addressing a state-level Health Dialogue Session at Peterhoff, Shimla, on Saturday.
₹3,000 Crore Allocation for Advanced Medical Technology
In addition, the Chief Minister stated that the government will invest nearly ₹3,000 crore over the next three years to equip health institutions across the state with world-class, high-end medical technology. This investment aims to significantly enhance diagnostic, treatment, and patient care capabilities.
Extended Dialogue with Frontline Health Administrators
As reported by TOI, during the event, the Chief Minister held an extended interaction with chief medical officers (CMOs), block medical officers (BMOs), and medical superintendents from across the state. The dialogue session lasted nearly four-and-a-half hours, during which Sukhu engaged in detailed discussions on grassroots challenges, operational bottlenecks, and policy-level reforms.
As a result, officials took several key decisions on the spot, enabling the immediate resolution of long-pending issues, according to a statement issued by the state government.
Decentralisation of Administrative and Financial Powers
To improve efficiency, Sukhu announced the decentralisation of administrative and financial powers. The government will vest CMOs, BMOs, and medical superintendents with enhanced financial authority. Moreover, it will introduce amendments to existing financial rules to simplify procedures and make them faster and more effective.
Furthermore, the Chief Minister said that CMOs will receive delegated financial and decision-making powers related to sanitation arrangements in health institutions. The government will also create special dedicated funds for CMOs and medical superintendents to address urgent and essential hospital requirements.
Focus on Medical Workforce Strengthening
In terms of human resources, Sukhu said the government would actively consider increasing the salaries of job trainee doctors. He also informed that recruitment for 236 doctors is currently underway, while 150 additional posts have already been sanctioned.
To ensure transparency in recruitment, the Chief Minister clarified that marks obtained in both written examinations and interviews will be included in the final merit list.
Strict Timelines for Infrastructure Projects
Meanwhile, Sukhu directed officials to ensure that construction work on health institution buildings that have achieved more than 60% progress is completed by March 31, without exception.
₹75 Crore Investment in Smart Diagnostic Labs
Additionally, the state government will invest ₹75 crore to establish smart laboratories across Himachal Pradesh. These labs will enable multiple diagnostic tests from a single blood sample, thereby ensuring faster, more accurate, and patient-friendly diagnostic services.
Through these combined measures, the state government aims to significantly strengthen healthcare infrastructure, empower frontline administrators, and improve the overall quality of care for citizens.