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Key Points

The Himachal Pradesh government has allocated Rs 193.75 crore to strengthen healthcare infrastructure across the state. Two 50-bed Critical Care Blocks will be established in Bilaspur and Rohru with advanced medical facilities. Five new District Integrated Public Health Labs will improve diagnostic capabilities and outbreak response. The projects include specialized mother-child hospital wings in Shimla, Una, and Sundernagar.

Key Points: Himachal Govt Allocates Rs 194 Crore for Critical Care Blocks and Labs

  • 50-bed Critical Care Blocks at Bilaspur & Rohru
  • 5 District Integrated Public Health Labs approved
  • Advanced ICU & emergency facilities
  • Labs to enhance outbreak management
2 min read

Himachal Pradesh government allocates Rs 193.75 crore to strengthen healthcare infrastructure

Himachal Pradesh approves Rs 193.75 crore for 2 Critical Care Blocks and 5 Public Health Labs to boost healthcare infrastructure

"Each CCB will be integrated with existing hospitals but can be isolated during health emergencies - Official Release"

Shimla, April 18

To strengthen the healthcare infrastructure and improve access to quality and affordable healthcare to the people of the State, the Himachal Pradesh government has allocated Rs 193.75 crore for establishing two Critical Care Blocks (CCBs) and five District Integrated Public Health Laboratories (DIPHLs).

In a recent cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the government approved the setting up of a 50-bedded Critical Care Block (CCB) at Primary Health Centre Swahan (Regional Hospital Bilaspur) and another 50-bedded CCB at Civil Hospital Rohru, Shimla district.

These facilities will be equipped with advanced medical infrastructure including Emergency Services, Intensive Care Units (ICUs), High Dependency Units (HDUs), Isolation Beds, Dialysis Units, Labour Rooms, Operation Theatres and Point-of-Care Laboratories, an official release said.

Each CCB will be integrated with the existing district hospital and will function as a regular facility under normal conditions. However, during health emergencies or outbreaks such as COVID-19, they can be physically isolated to ensure strict infection control. Each block will be constructed at a cost of Rs 16.63 crore and equipment cost of Rs 27.12 crore.

In addition, the cabinet has also approved the establishment of District Integrated Public Health Laboratories (DIPHLs) at Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru Government Medical College Chamba and District Hospital Hamirpur attached with Dr Radha Krishnan Government Medical College Hamirpur. These DIPHLs are aimed at improving diagnostic capabilities, enabling rapid testing and supporting effective outbreak management, the release said.

Each laboratory will be fully equipped with Clinical Pathology, Haematology, Cytology, Biochemistry, and Microbiology facilities under one roof to enhance efficiency and avoid resource duplication.

Every DIPHL will have a team of experts comprising of one Pathologist, one Microbiologist, one Biochemist, eleven Lab Technicians, one Data Entry Operator, and two Sanitation workers.

The capital cost per DIPHL will be Rs 21.25 crore with an annual recurring cost of Rs 49.05 lakh per unit. Furthermore, the cabinet has also approved the procurement of equipment for the under-construction Mother and Child Hospital wings of Kamla Nehru Hospital Shimla, Regional Hospital Una and Civil Hospital Sundernagar of Mandi district.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
This is such a welcome move! The healthcare infrastructure in Himachal really needs upgrading, especially in rural areas. Those integrated labs will make such a difference in early disease detection. 👍
P
Priya S.
While I appreciate the investment, I hope they also focus on retaining medical staff. What's the point of fancy equipment if we don't have enough doctors to operate them? The salary packages need to be competitive too.
A
Ankit M.
Finally some good news! My uncle had to be airlifted to Chandigarh last year because Bilaspur hospital couldn't handle his condition. These critical care blocks will save lives and money for families like ours. 🙏
S
Sunita R.
The mother and child hospital wings are much needed! So many pregnant women in remote areas struggle to get proper care. Hope they ensure these facilities are accessible to everyone, not just those near cities.
V
Vikram D.
The isolation feature is smart - we learned from COVID how quickly hospitals can get overwhelmed. But I wonder if Rs 16.63 crore per block is enough? Construction costs in hills are higher than plains.
N
Neha T.
As someone from Rohru, this news makes me emotional. We've waited so long for proper healthcare facilities here. No more 4-hour drives to Shimla for emergencies! Thank you for remembering the remote areas too ❤️

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