In a significant boost to Himachal Pradesh’s diagnostic infrastructure, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil announced that 34 health institutions across the state will soon be equipped with state-of-the-art CT scan machines. The announcement was made during a high-level purchase committee meeting held in Shimla today.
Dr. Shandil informed that the procurement and installation process will be completed within the next three months, and by December 2025, the new machines will be fully operational. “This initiative will bring modern, reliable CT scan services closer to people’s homes and reduce their reliance on private diagnostic centers,” he stated.
The machines will be installed in key health facilities, including Civil Hospitals at Paonta Sahib, Rajgarh, Arki, Nalagarh, Nadaun, Dehra, Jawali, Amb, Chopal, Rohru, Theog, and others. Zonal Hospitals like Dharamshala and DDU Shimla, as well as Regional Hospitals in Una, Solan, Kullu, and Keylong, are also included in the list.
Highlighting the government’s focus on healthcare modernization, Dr. Shandil said that CM Sukhu has prioritized the strengthening of healthcare infrastructure. The Chief Minister has directed officials to identify under-construction health institutions and estimate the financial and staffing requirements to ensure timely completion. The government will ensure adequate funding for construction and equipment once the assessments are complete.
Dr. Shandil also shared updates on other healthcare advancements:
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Five Phaco machines have been procured for Chamba Medical College, Zonal Hospital Chamba, and Civil Hospitals in Rohru, Paonta Sahib, and Una. Installation is already underway.
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The government plans to streamline the procurement process for medicines and medical supplies by shifting from a quarterly to a half-yearly procurement cycle to reduce delays.
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A new baby care kit initiative is also being rolled out. Kits will include 18 quality items for newborns born in both government and private institutions. Samples have been received and are currently undergoing quality testing.
The meeting was attended by senior health officials including Health Secretary M. Sudha Devi, CM’s Infrastructure Advisor Anil Kapil, HPMSCL MD Divyanshu Singal, and Director of Health Safety and Regulations Jitender Sanjta.
