In a significant move to overhaul the medical education and healthcare system, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced a series of major reforms on Wednesday. The announcements, made during a high-level review meeting of the education and health departments in Shimla, focus on rationalising manpower, expanding academic programmes, and improving patient care across the state.
New Senior Residency Policy and Increased GDO Quota
The cornerstone of the new reforms is a comprehensive senior residency policy that will be framed for all medical colleges in Himachal Pradesh. Chief Minister Sukhu stated that this policy aims to ensure the optimum utilisation of medical manpower and strengthen institutional efficiency.
A key change under this policy is the revision of the recruitment ratio for senior resident posts. The quota for General Duty Officers (GDOs) will be increased substantially to 66%, replacing the existing 50:50 ratio between GDOs and direct recruits. This strategic shift is designed to provide greater career progression opportunities for in-service doctors working within the government system, which is expected to improve retention and enhance service delivery in public health institutions.
Expansion of PG Programmes and Super-Specialist Appointments
To build academic capacity and address the need for specialised doctors, the state government will expand MD and MS postgraduate programmes in additional disciplines. This expansion will take place at medical colleges located in Chamba, Nahan, Hamirpur, and Nerchowk.
Furthermore, to bolster advanced medical care, the government plans to appoint DM and MCh super-specialists in medical colleges. In a parallel infrastructure upgrade, state-of-the-art intensive care units (ICUs) equipped with the latest advanced technology will be established across all medical colleges in the state.
1000 Rogi Mitras and Special Assistance for Elderly Patients
Recognising the importance of patient facilitation, Chief Minister Sukhu announced the recruitment of 1,000 patient care assistants, to be known as Rogi Mitras. Of these, 500 will be posted in medical colleges and the remaining 500 in other health institutions across Himachal.
A pilot project for this initiative will begin in Hamirpur district, initially covering primary health centres. Additionally, special assistance for patients above 70 years of age will be introduced on a pilot basis at three major hospitals: Chamiyana Hospital, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College (RPGMC) Tanda, and Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) Shimla. These hospitals will also have dedicated Rogi Mitra counters.
To streamline administrative processes, data entry operators will be deployed in Out Patient Departments (OPDs) to improve patient data management. The Chief Minister reaffirmed his government's commitment to making Himachal Pradesh a leader in both healthcare services and medical education through these concerted efforts.
