In a decisive step to overhaul the State’s public healthcare system, the Himachal Pradesh Government has announced an investment of ₹207.50 crore to strengthen diagnostic facilities across government medical institutions. This funding is a key component of the ₹606.70 crore ‘Vyavastha Parivartan’ initiative—an ambitious transformation agenda aimed at improving the quality, efficiency, and accessibility of healthcare services.
According to a government spokesperson, the move follows CM Sukhu’s directives to address persistent diagnostic challenges faced by patients in public hospitals. Many medical facilities currently rely on diagnostic equipment that is 15 to 20 years old, leading to delays and inaccuracies in disease detection and treatment.
To modernize these facilities, the government plans to install state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment in key hospitals and medical colleges. This includes high-resolution 1.5 Tesla and 3 Tesla MRI machines at institutions such as IGMC Shimla, SLBSGMC Mandi, Dr. YSPGMC Nahan, GMC Chamba, and the Atal Institute of Medical Super Speciality Chamiyana. Additional upgrades include advanced CT imaging systems, mobile and ceiling-suspended digital radiography units, mammography machines, color Doppler ultrasound systems, and the integration of Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) across all seven government medical colleges.
Each college will also receive four portable ultrasound units and a radiology workstation equipped with 3D imaging software, further enhancing their diagnostic capacity. Kamla Nehru Hospital in Shimla will also benefit from a PACS installation.
The government recognizes that lack of modern diagnostic and surgical equipment, along with insufficient staff training, are major bottlenecks in the healthcare system. To tackle these, the proposal highlights 14 priority areas, including digital health, simulation-based training, cancer care, and critical care services.
“The goal is to empower our hospitals to deliver high-quality care locally, reducing the need for patients to travel outside the State for advanced treatments,” said the spokesperson. “This upgrade will also boost medical education standards and support the overall strengthening of the public health ecosystem in Himachal Pradesh.”
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