Dharamsala: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced in the Vidhan Sabha on Monday that robotic surgery facilities will become fully operational at three major government medical colleges—Hamirpur, Nerchowk (Mandi), and Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) Shimla—by January 2026.
Himachal to Set Up High-Tech Smart Labs Across Key Centres
The Chief Minister informed that smart laboratories are also being established at Chamiyana, IGMC Shimla, and Tanda near Dharamsala as part of a massive push to modernise the state’s healthcare system.
He added that the government is investing Rs 3,000 crore to upgrade medical infrastructure across Himachal Pradesh.
Sukhu said, “The state government aims to provide AIIMS Delhi-standard healthcare to its 7.5 million population. Patients in Himachal Pradesh are being charged on the lines of PGI Chandigarh.”
Robotic Surgery Gaining Momentum: 116 Procedures in Just Two Months
Highlighting the growing use of robotic surgery in the state, the CM shared that 78 robotic procedures have been successfully performed at Chamiyana in Shimla and 38 procedures at Tanda Medical College over the past two months.
Responding to a supplementary question raised by BJP MLA Bikram Thakur, Sukhu clarified that the training protocol for surgeons differs significantly, and the government is investing heavily in skilling doctors “on the lines of AIIMS.”
He further informed the Assembly that 50% of surgeons at Tanda have already completed robotic surgery training.
Govt Considering Fee Reduction for Robotic Surgeries
Currently, patients opting for special wards are charged Rs 50,000 for robotic surgery. However, Sukhu stated that the government is reviewing the fee structure and may reduce the charges as procedure volumes rise.
In a personal disclosure, the Chief Minister said he had also undergone robotic surgery, further emphasising the procedure’s reliability and importance for public healthcare.
State’s Diagnostic Network Receives a Major Boost
Earlier, the government rolled out a detailed plan to strengthen diagnostic capabilities across Himachal Pradesh. An investment of Rs 213.75 crore has been allocated to install advanced diagnostic equipment in government health institutions, enabling faster and more accurate disease detection.
This initiative aligns with the state’s broader mission to ensure accessible, modern, and high-standard healthcare for all residents.
