SHIMLA-27^th November, 2024-Health Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil, while reviewing healthcare schemes here today, stated that Health sector is one of the most vital sectors and the state government has a special focus on ensuring quality, accessible and affordable healthcare services to the people of the state.

He said the government was upgrading health institutes in each of the 68 assembly constituencies of the state to 'Adarsh Swasthya Sansthan' with a provision of 6 specialist doctors in each of the Sansthan. He added that around 49 Adarsh Swasthya Sansthans have been provided upto 4 to 6 specialist doctors. He added that gradually all such Sansthans would be equipped with requisite specialist doctors, paramedical staff and state-of-the-art health infrastructure.

The Health Minister directed the officers to ensure that the ongoing projects related to the construction of medical institutions across the state were completed in a time-bound manner and stated that the projects where 70 percent of the work has been completed should be given priority for completion.

He stated that the state government was committed to provide adequate doctors and para-medical staff in the health institutions and also ensuring that world class medical equipments and modern day machinery are available for the best treatment of the patients.

He also stressed on further strengthening healthcare facilities in rural areas and said that oral hygiene was one of the important aspects of healthcare. "The government has its focus on further improving the dental services, especially in rural areas of the state," stated the minister.

Dr. Shandil said the state government has initiated the process to fill thousands of posts in the health sector, including specialists and resident doctors, nurses and other para-medical staff. He added that apart from new recruitments, the health and family welfare department would also take steps to rationalize the para-medical staff to make certain that adequate staff is available in all medical institutions, especially the ones providing healthcare in far-flung and rural areas.

The minister also directed the officers to inspect various health institutions and ongoing works regularly.

Mission Director NHM Priyanka Verma, Deputy Mission Director NHM Dr. Gopal Beri and other dignitaries were present in the review meeting.