Key Points

Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced a statewide palliative care campaign targeting elderly and homebound patients. ASHA workers and health officers will identify beneficiaries, with medical teams providing quarterly home visits. The government will also set up 49 new dialysis centers and streamline Himcare enrollment. The initiative aims to improve accessibility to healthcare for vulnerable populations.

Key Points: Himachal CM Sukhu Announces Statewide Palliative Care Campaign

  • ASHA workers to identify elderly for home-based care
  • 49 new dialysis centers at Rs 41.62 crore
  • Himcare enrollment expanded quarterly
  • Palliative hubs with doctors and physiotherapists
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Health dept to launch palliative care campaign shortly: Himachal CM

Himachal Pradesh to launch home-based palliative care for elderly, with ASHA workers identifying beneficiaries and quarterly medical visits.

"The State Government will launch a comprehensive palliative care campaign shortly, aimed at offering doorstep medical services. – CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu"

Shimla, June 26

While presiding over a meeting of the Health Department here on Thursday, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu directed to identify the eligible beneficiaries for palliative care with special focus on elderly persons requiring home-based health care, a release said.

He said that the State Government would launch a comprehensive palliative care campaign shortly, aimed at offering doorstep medical services to the elderly and patients across the State.

CM Sukhu said that ASHA workers and Community Health officers (CHOs) will identify the eligible beneficiaries, and a team comprising a medical officer, a physiotherapist from Aadarsh Swasthya Sansthan, along with CHOs, will visit the shortlisted beneficiaries to finalise the treatment plan. The identification and planning process will be completed within three months of launch.

He said that palliative and elderly care hubs would be established at Aadarsh Swasthya Sansthan, where two medical officers, two nurses, one physiotherapist and a counsellor will provide health-care services. The team will also visit the beneficiaries' homes quarterly to monitor and support them.

The Chief Minister also reviewed the Himcare and Ayushman Bharat schemes and directed the seeding of beneficiaries with the Him Parivar number. He said that new Himcare applicants will be able to apply for enrollment under the scheme quarterly, and cards to be issued in the last month of each quarter.

Additionally, the Principals of Medical Colleges and Medical Superintendents will also be empowered to recommend the issuance of Himcare cards for upto 100 critical patients within their respective hospitals.

CM Sukhu stated that the State Government would establish 49 new dialysis centres in Aadarsh Swasthya Sansthans with an estimated cost of Rs 41.62 crores.

Health Minister Col Dhani Ram Shandil, Secretary of Health M Sudha Devi, Director of Health and Family Welfare Dr Ashwani Kumar Sharma, Director of Medical Education Dr Rakesh Sharma, Special Secretary Neeraj Kumar, and other senior officers were also present at the meeting.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
This is a much-needed initiative! Many elderly in rural Himachal suffer silently without proper care. The home visits by medical teams will be life-changing for mountain villages where travel is difficult. Hope they implement it properly 🤞
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Priya M.
Good step but I'm concerned about execution. ASHA workers are already overburdened. The government must ensure proper staffing and resources. Also, quarterly home visits may not be enough for critical cases - monthly would be better.
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Amit S.
Finally some focus on palliative care! My grandfather suffered greatly in his last days in Shimla. The inclusion of physiotherapists and counsellors shows thoughtful planning. Hope other states learn from Himachal's model 🙏
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Neha T.
49 new dialysis centers is a big deal! Kidney patients in remote areas currently travel for hours for treatment. This will save lives and reduce financial burden on families. Kudos to CM Sukhu for prioritizing healthcare!
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Sunil P.
The quarterly Himcare enrollment system seems bureaucratic. Why not allow applications anytime? Also, 100 critical patient recommendations per hospital is too low - our medical colleges see thousands of serious cases.
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Kavita R.
As someone who cares for aging parents, I appreciate this initiative. The mental health aspect through counsellors is especially important - elderly depression is often ignored in our society. Hope they train staff sensitively.

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