Shimla, Feb 27:
Patients visiting Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla, will now have access to world-class diagnostic services with the inauguration of a state-of-the-art 3 Tesla MRI machine on Thursday.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurated the high-end MRI facility installed at a cost of about ₹23 crore, replacing the nearly 20-year-old machine that had outlived its utility. The new technology, comparable to that used at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, is expected to significantly improve the accuracy and speed of diagnosis for patients from across Himachal Pradesh.
Addressing doctors and officials at Indira Gandhi Medical College, the Chief Minister said the government was committed to a systemic overhaul of public healthcare by equipping medical institutions with cutting-edge technology. He said patients would no longer need to travel outside the state for advanced MRI investigations, saving both time and money.
Sukhu said that on the lines of AIIMS New Delhi, advanced medical equipment is being introduced in government medical colleges at Tanda, Hamirpur, Nerchowk and the upcoming medical college at Chamiyana. He added that the state government is investing over ₹3,000 crore to strengthen healthcare infrastructure across Himachal Pradesh.
Taking a swipe at the previous BJP government, the Chief Minister said poor financial management and neglect of the health sector had left state institutions without modern medical infrastructure. “Our focus is on rebuilding and upgrading healthcare facilities so that quality treatment is available to people within the state,” he said.
Interacting with specialists at IGMC, Sukhu announced that the Orthopaedics Department would be upgraded to world-class standards and that the process for starting robotic orthopaedic and spine surgeries at IGMC has already begun. He also announced plans to set up advanced ICUs for Medicine, Paediatrics and Respiratory Diseases at the institute.
The Chief Minister further directed that exposure visits be organised for specialists from all government medical colleges to leading institutions in India and abroad to keep them updated with the latest medical advancements. He also reviewed ongoing developmental works at IGMC and instructed officials to ensure their timely completion.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dhani Ram Shandil, Shimla MLA Harish Janartha, Mayor Surinder Chauhan, Principal IGMC Sita Thakur and other senior doctors and officers were present on the occasion.
