SHIMLA, Oct 5: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has directed the Health Department to permit job trainee doctors to pursue postgraduate courses, while also approving permission for doctors seeking admission to super-speciality programmes.
Chairing a Health Department meeting in Shimla on Monday, Sukhu said the duration and financial value of service bonds would be increased to ensure that doctors return to Himachal Pradesh after completing their higher studies and continue providing medical services in the state.
The Chief Minister said the government was working towards strengthening healthcare infrastructure and improving the quality of treatment available to patients. As part of these efforts, the state is also planning international exposure visits for medical students to help them understand advanced healthcare practices followed in other countries.
Sukhu instructed officials to speed up the selection process for students who would be sent abroad and said the knowledge and experience gained during these visits should eventually benefit patients in Himachal Pradesh.
Improving diagnostic services was identified as another major priority during the meeting. The Chief Minister directed all government medical colleges to complete the digitisation of end-to-end records for MRI, CT scan, X-ray and ultrasound examinations conducted in their radiology departments by October 20.
He said adequate manpower would be provided to support the digitisation exercise. Medical colleges were also asked to submit department-wise requirements for nurses and technicians so that recruitment could be accelerated.
Sukhu further said an expert committee had been constituted to examine the establishment of centres of excellence with specialised departments in all government medical colleges, including the Atal Institute of Medical Super Specialities (AIMSS), Chamiana.
The committee will identify two to four departments in each institution that have the potential to be developed into specialised centres. These facilities are expected to provide advanced, multidisciplinary care for complex, rare and critical illnesses requiring specialised expertise, modern technology and infrastructure beyond conventional departmental services.
The Chief Minister said the initiatives were aimed at building stronger medical institutions and ensuring access to high-quality healthcare within the state.