State to buy four robotic systems worth Rs 120 crore; IGMC and Nerchowk next in line
TNR News Network
SHIMLA: After successful trials at AIMSS-Chamiyana and Tanda Medical College, the Himachal Pradesh government is now preparing to introduce robotic surgery facilities at four more medical institutions. Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) Shimla and Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College, Nerchowk, are set to be the next in line.
According to sources in the Health Department, four advanced surgical robots worth around Rs 120 crore will be procured for these colleges. Training for doctors at IGMC and Nerchowk will be conducted at AIMSS-Chamiyana where over 40 robotic surgeries have already been performed. More than 10 such procedures have also been carried out successfully at Tanda. Patients are reportedly showing growing interest in opting for robotic surgeries due to their precision and faster recovery outcomes.
Chamba, Hamirpur, Nahan also to get facility
Following the rollout at IGMC and Nerchowk, the government plans to extend the robotic surgery setup to Chamba, Hamirpur and Nahan medical colleges in the next phase. The move is part of the state’s broader effort to equip all medical colleges with modern technology and reduce the dependency of patients on hospitals outside Himachal.
Patients with HIMCARE cards are currently eligible for free robotic surgeries, while others are charged around Rs 30,000 for the robotic component, excluding medicines and consumables.
53 new doctors, 600 nurses appointed to boost healthcare
To address the shortage of medical professionals, the state government has deployed 53 new doctors across AIMSS-Chamiyana and other medical colleges. The maximum 20 doctors have been assigned to Tanda, followed by 19 to IGMC, eight to Hamirpur and six to AIMSS-Chamiyana. They have been directed to join within a week.
Himachal Pradesh Health Secretary M Sudha said that the government is also filling vacancies for nurses and paramedical staff, alongside replacing outdated machines with new ones. Recently, 600 nurses were appointed in various health institutions. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is personally monitoring the strengthening of healthcare infrastructure to ensure patients receive advanced treatment within the state.
