Sunil Chadha
Shimla
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has signalled a major shift in the way healthcare services are delivered in the state, directing officials to integrate maximum online facilities across the health system to make services faster, more transparent and citizen-friendly.
Chairing a review meeting with senior officers of the health department, National Health Mission and the Directorate of Medical Education, the CM announced that a high-level committee will be constituted under the chairmanship of Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr (Colonel) Dhani Ram Shandil to chart out the digital roadmap. The panel has been asked to submit its recommendations within 10 days.
Committee to design digital health roadmap
Sukhu said the proposed committee would examine ways to introduce and expand online services in government health institutions. Emphasising efficiency, he noted that digital systems would help save time and resources while improving the quality of healthcare delivery.
He specifically directed officials to develop an online patient registration system across hospitals and health institutions, which is expected to reduce overcrowding, streamline OPD services and improve patient experience.
Himcare, ABHA to be digitally integrated
The Chief Minister stressed that under the Himcare scheme, mapping of beneficiaries should be ensured down to the panchayat level. He also called for treatment-related data of patients to be digitised for better monitoring and planning.
In a key directive, Sukhu asked officials to integrate the ABHA card with the Him Parivar Portal, saying this digital linkage would enhance transparency and accountability. “Online records, effective monitoring and a stronger grievance redressal mechanism will make the system more responsive,” he said.
Better planning, stronger infrastructure
Sukhu said the expansion of online health services would aid better planning and administration, encourage innovation and help the state move towards the goal of healthy citizens and a strong Himachal. He added that health infrastructure in the state is being strengthened with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to further improve service delivery.
Health Minister Dr Dhani Ram Shandil, Principal Advisar to the CM (Innovation, Digital Technology and Governance) Gokul Butail, Secretary to the CM Rakesh Kanwar, Health Secretary Priyanka Basu Ingty and other senior officers attended the meeting.
