In a significant move aimed at bolstering the healthcare sector and retaining medical talent, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu unveiled a comprehensive new Incentive Policy for doctors on Saturday. The announcement, linking benefits directly to performance, was made during the annual 'Stimulus-2025-26' function at the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) in Shimla.
Major Financial Boost for Medical Education and Infrastructure
The Chief Minister laid out a series of substantial financial commitments. The most immediate relief for medical students comes in the form of a significant hike in monthly stipends for postgraduate resident doctors, promised in the upcoming state budget. The new stipend structure will be Rs 50,000 in the first year, Rs 60,000 in the second, and Rs 65,000 in the third year.
Furthermore, stipends for senior residents have been raised from Rs 60,000 to a handsome Rs 1 lakh per month. Doctors in super-specialty departments will see their stipends increase from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.30 lakh. In a move to ensure better working conditions, the government has also capped the working hours for resident doctors at 12 hours per shift.
Direct Funding for Hospitals and Critical Infrastructure
CM Sukhu sanctioned Rs 5 crore for laparoscopic facilities and Rs 6 crore for the department of anaesthesia at IGMC. He directed authorities to expedite the land transfer process for a new student hostel and instructed the IGMC principal to fast-track the relocation of the gynaecology wing from Kamla Nehru Hospital to the IGMC campus.
Highlighting a vision for advanced care, the government has allocated Rs 5 crore each to five state medical colleges for bone marrow transplant infrastructure. These colleges are:
- IGMC, Shimla
- AIMSS Chamiyana
- Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda
- LBS Government Medical College, Mandi
- Dr. Radhakrishnan Government Medical College, Hamirpur
Additionally, a sum of Rs 75 crore has been approved for establishing smart labs at IGMC, Tanda Medical College, and the Super Specialty Hospital in Chamiyana, Shimla.
A Rs 3,000 Crore Vision for World-Class Healthcare
Outlining a massive upgrade plan, Sukhu stated that the state government is investing over Rs 3,000 crore to modernize healthcare facilities across Himachal Pradesh. This investment aims to replace outdated medical equipment with state-of-the-art machinery comparable to premier institutes like AIIMS Delhi and PGI Chandigarh. Plans are also in place to equip five state medical colleges with world-class technology.
The Chief Minister provided a recap of the government's efforts over the past three years, noting that Rs 1,207 crore was spent to strengthen medical education infrastructure. Key achievements include:
- Introduction of postgraduate courses in medical colleges at Chamba, Hamirpur, and Nerchowk.
- Establishment of emergency departments in all medical colleges.
- Direct recruitment of 57 casualty medical officers.
- Creation of 32 specialist posts dedicated to emergency services.
The new Incentive Policy for doctors, coupled with these massive infrastructure and stipend upgrades, signals the Himachal Pradesh government's focused strategy to address challenges in the healthcare sector, improve patient care, and create an attractive ecosystem for medical professionals in the state.
