Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Inaugurates Advanced Robotic Surgery Facility in Mandi
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu officially inaugurated a state-of-the-art robotic surgery facility at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College in Nerchowk, Mandi district, on Friday. The establishment of this advanced medical center, constructed at a cost of Rs 28.4 crore, marks a significant leap forward in the state's healthcare infrastructure.
Third Robotic Surgery Center in Himachal Pradesh
This newly inaugurated facility is the third robotic surgery center in Himachal Pradesh, joining two existing units: the Atal Super Speciality Hospital in Chamiyana, Shimla, and the Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College in Tanda, Kangra. Chief Minister Sukhu personally observed the inaugural surgery conducted using the new robotic system, underscoring the government's commitment to hands-on implementation of advanced medical technologies.
Expansion Plans and Surgical Outcomes
During the inauguration ceremony, CM Sukhu announced ambitious plans to extend robotic surgery services to Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) in Shimla and Hamirpur Medical College in the near future. He highlighted the successful track record of existing facilities, noting that 151 surgeries have been performed at the Chamiyana center and 92 surgeries at the Tanda facility, with encouraging and positive outcomes reported in both locations.
Vision for Medical Education and Infrastructure
The Chief Minister articulated a comprehensive vision to elevate all medical colleges in Himachal Pradesh to a standard comparable with premier institutions like AIIMS Delhi. The primary objective is to transform these colleges from mere referral centers into hubs of advanced medical treatment and innovation. To achieve this, the state government plans to invest approximately Rs 3,000 crore in cutting-edge medical technologies over the coming years.
Furthermore, CM Sukhu announced several key initiatives for the Nerchowk medical college:
- Establishment of a new cardiology department
- Introduction of postgraduate (PG) courses across all departments
- Provision of one-time relaxation in departments lacking professors to ensure timely commencement of PG courses
- Increase in the number of senior residency (SRship) posts
The government will also facilitate exposure visits for doctors to enhance their knowledge and training in modern medical technologies, ensuring healthcare professionals remain at the forefront of medical advancements.
Addressing Financial Challenges
Chief Minister Sukhu acknowledged the financial constraints facing the state, particularly noting that the closure of the revenue deficit grant (RDG) has reduced the annual state budget by approximately Rs 10,000 crore. Despite these significant fiscal challenges, he emphasized the government's determination to prioritize healthcare investments, stating that correcting disrupted systems requires time and strategic allocation of resources.
Additional Development Projects in Mandi District
During his day-long tour of Mandi district, CM Sukhu also inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 14 development projects with a combined worth of Rs 60 crore. Key projects include:
- Rs 25.99-crore upgrade of the Shimla-Mandi road via Tattapani (Chail Chowk to Baggi portion) under NABARD
- Rs 6.96-crore Nehra to Fagoh road via Kuthal, Bagla, Lower Natan, including a motorable bridge over Kansha Khad under NABARD
- Rs 2.75-crore PWD Rest House at Dhanotu
- Rs 12-lakh Patwar Khana building at Chamyar in Balh
- Rs 14-lakh Apna Pustakalya (Library) at Gram Panchayat Kotli
- Rs 55-lakh PWD junior engineer office-cum-residence at Jach (Jhungi)
- Rs 37-lakh community centre at Nichali Behli
These infrastructure projects demonstrate the government's holistic approach to development, combining healthcare advancements with essential public infrastructure improvements across Mandi district.
