Health care is conventionally regarded as an important determinant in promoting the general physical, mental and social well-being of people around the world and can contribute to a significant part of a country’s economy, development and industrialization.
The State Government has made it loud and clear that adequate funds will be provided for upgrading and creating modern health infrastructure in the State. As a step forward the Government is considering to collaborate with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for financial assistance for enhancing health infrastructure across various health institutions with a proposed financial outlay of Rs. 2835 crore. Chief Minister, Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has placed health sector amongst one of its flagship programmes and is prioritizing to strengthen the healthcare facilities so as to extend the best medical services to its citizens.
The State Government mulls to allocate Rs. 1620 crore of this funding towards tertiary care infrastructure, including the strengthening of new medical colleges in Hamirpur, Chamba and Nahan with an expected financial outlay of Rs. 1010 crore. Additionally, Rs. 400 crore will be spent on developing adequate health infrastructure for providing super-speciality services, with respect to Cancer disease, in Medical College Hamirpur. The government is also seeking Rs. 60 crore additional funds from JICA for nursing educational infrastructure and high-end diagnostic capacity in the new medical colleges.
It is proposed to allocate Rs. 1215 crore of JICA funding in order to enhance secondary care infrastructure, which includes Rs. 988 crore for infrastructure and equipments like CT scan services in selected secondary care facilities i.e. civil hospital per medical block. Besides, Rs. 135 crore is proposed for need-based strengthening of secondary care facilities, and Rs. 92 crore for repair and maintenance, strengthening diagnostics, power backup, and Hospital Management Information System (MIS) of the remaining civil hospitals and community health centers.
Chief Minister, Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stated, “The State Government is committed to providing world-class healthcare facilities to the people of the State at their doorstep particularly in the tribal and far flung areas”. Our goal is to introduce modern technology in the health sector, and there will be no shortage of funds for this vital sector.” The health institutions will be equipped with staff and essential equipment so that people can get proper medical care.
The Health Department is on the job to prepare a preliminary project report to be discussed in detail with JICA.
The state government also mulls to introduce 5G technologies in state health institutions for enhanced digital connectivity which will facilitate the doctors and the patients for online consultations as well.
