Rs 28.44 crore robotic surgery unit launched at SLBS Government Medical College; state plans to expand advanced medical technology across all medical colleges
In a major step toward strengthening advanced healthcare infrastructure, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, on Friday inaugurated a robotic surgery facility at Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College in Nerchowk, located in Mandi district.
The state-of-the-art facility, developed at a cost of Rs 28.44 crore, is expected to significantly improve access to advanced surgical procedures for patients in the region. The Chief Minister also observed the first robotic surgery performed at the hospital during the inauguration ceremony.
Third Medical Institution in State to Offer Robotic Surgery
With this launch, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College, Nerchowk has become the third medical institution in Himachal Pradesh to provide robotic surgery services, after Atal Super Speciality Hospital Chamiyana in Shimla and Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College Tanda in Kangra.
According to the Chief Minister, robotic surgery services will soon be introduced at Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla and Hamirpur Medical College, with preparations already underway.
He noted that 151 robotic surgeries have already been performed at Chamiyana, while 92 surgeries were conducted at Tanda Medical College, both with encouraging outcomes.
Government Aims to Upgrade Medical Colleges to AIIMS-Level Facilities
Sukhu said the state government is working to introduce high-end medical technologies across all government medical colleges, ensuring that institutions function not just as referral centres but as full-fledged treatment hubs comparable to AIIMS Delhi.
To strengthen expertise, doctors from the state will be sent on exposure visits and training programs to gain hands-on experience with advanced medical technologies.
Rs 3,000 Crore Planned for Advanced Medical Technology
Highlighting financial challenges, the Chief Minister said that the closure of the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG) has reduced the state budget by nearly Rs 10,000 crore annually. Despite this, the government plans to invest around Rs 3,000 crore in advanced healthcare technology in the coming years.
He emphasized that financial constraints will not be allowed to hinder improvements in healthcare services in the state.
Cardiology Department and PG Courses to Start at Nerchowk
The Chief Minister also announced that a cardiology department will soon be established at Nerchowk Medical College. Additionally, postgraduate (PG) courses will be started in all departments of the college.
In departments where professors are not currently available, the government will provide a one-time relaxation to enable the launch of PG courses without delay. The number of Senior Residency (SRship) posts will also be increased.
Strengthening Radiology, Trauma and Emergency Services
Sukhu further stated that the radiology department and other clinical departments at the medical college will be strengthened. Vacant posts of doctors, paramedical staff, and technicians will be filled to improve patient care.
The government is also working to fill vacant positions at the Nerchowk Trauma Centre to enhance emergency medical services.
New High-End Diagnostic Machines to Be Installed
Several advanced diagnostic machines are also planned for the medical college. The process to install a three-Tesla MRI machine and a LINAC machine for cancer treatment is already underway, while a PET scan machine will also be installed soon.
Higher Stipend for Senior Resident Doctors
In a move to support medical professionals, the Chief Minister announced a significant hike in stipends. The stipend for Senior Resident doctors has been increased from Rs 40,000 to Rs 1 lakh, while Senior Resident Super Specialist doctors will now receive Rs 1.30 lakh instead of Rs 1 lakh.
During his visit, Sukhu interacted with doctors and staff at the medical college and gathered feedback on facilities and challenges. He assured that suggestions related to medical education and healthcare infrastructure would be incorporated into future policy decisions to ensure better healthcare services across Himachal Pradesh.
