Himachal Govt Allocates INR 1,800 Cr to Upgrade Medical Equipment in State-Run Hospitals

The government aims to improve in-state healthcare facilities and reduce medical migration.

The Himachal Pradesh government has approved an INR 1,800 Cr budget to replace outdated medical equipment in state-run hospitals. This move aims to address long-standing challenges faced by patients due to obsolete machinery, some of which have been in use for over three decades.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has directed the immediate replacement of old medical devices to enhance healthcare delivery and ensure timely diagnosis.

“Studies indicate that late diagnosis can increase medical costs by 30-50% for patients,” the official statement noted.

According to the state health department, around 9.5 lakh patients travel outside Himachal Pradesh annually for treatment, leading to an economic loss of INR 1,350 Cr to the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The government aims to improve in-state healthcare facilities and reduce medical migration.

Expanding Healthcare Services

To modernize healthcare infrastructure, the state government has outlined key initiatives, including the introduction of robotic surgery across all medical colleges and the installation of advanced radiology and laboratory equipment. Each medical college will be equipped with:

• 3-Tesla MRI machines

• 256-slice high-end CT scan machines

• PET scan machines

• Modular operation theatres

Additionally, a 150-bed Cancer Care Centre will be established in Hamirpur, featuring advanced treatment options such as radiation therapy and nuclear medicine.

A government spokesperson stated, “Healthcare services will be expanded across 69 government institutions, including zonal, regional, and district hospitals, as well as community health centres (CHCs). Efforts are also underway to digitize healthcare facilities for improved patient management and service efficiency.”

With this initiative, the Himachal Pradesh government aims to provide world-class healthcare services within the state, reducing dependence on external medical facilities and enhancing patient care.