District hospitals play pivotal role in delivering accessible, timely healthcare services: CM Sukhu

Shimla, Jul 16 (PTI) District hospitals play a pivotal role in delivering accessible and timely healthcare services, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Thursday, adding that Kullu, Una, Bilaspur and Solan, among eight hospitals, will get 1.5 Tesla MRI Machines. Chairing a high-level meeting of the Health Department, CM Sukhu said that the state government is strengthening healthcare infrastructure across district hospitals and all seven government medical colleges to ensure quality medical services closer to people's homes, a statement issued here said. He said that, as part of this initiative, the state government would install 1.5 Tesla MRI machines at Regional Hospitals Bilaspur, Kullu, Una and Solan, District Hospital Kinnaur, Dr Y S Parmar Government Medical College and Hospital, Nahan, Zonal Hospital Dharamshala and Civil Hospital Palampur. He said that advanced 3 Tesla MRI machines were being installed in the government medical colleges to further strengthen specialised diagnostic services across the state. Digital Mammography machines would also be installed at district hospitals Nahan and Hamirpur, regional hospitals Bilaspur and Solan along with the Zonal Hospital Dharamshala to enhance diagnostic facilities, he added. Sukhu said that the procurement process for 42 handheld X-ray machines is underway, of which 14 have already been received. These machines would be deployed across the state, particularly in remote and far-flung areas, for chest screening and early detection of tuberculosis. He said that the initiative would facilitate timely diagnosis and treatment, thereby improving health outcomes. The chief minister said that 256-slice high-end CT scan machines would be installed at Atal Institute of Medical Super Specialty, Chamiyana, IGMC Shimla, Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda, Dr Radhakrishnan Government Medical College, Hamirpur and Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College, Ner Chowk. In addition, digital X-ray and 4D ultrasound machines would be provided to various healthcare institutions across the state. PTI BPL MNK MNK