Patients in remote Himachal to get local access to scans and diagnostics by August: Health Minister
Shimla, July 23,
For many residents in districts like Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, and remote parts of Chamba and Sirmaur, a simple scan currently means hours of travel, added expenses, and loss of daily wages. The government’s latest move is expected to bridge this urban-rural divide and bring critical diagnostic facilities closer to people’s homes.
In a major relief to thousands of patients across Himachal Pradesh, the state government is set to decentralize healthcare access by installing modern diagnostic machines in local health institutions by August 2025. Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil on Tuesday announced that people will no longer need to travel long distances for basic and specialized diagnostic services like CT scans, ultrasounds, and X-rays.
Chairing a meeting of the Special High Power Purchase Committee (HPPC), the Health Minister stated that the procurement of CT scan, X-ray, ultrasound, phaco, and other state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment is already underway and will be completed within a month. These machines will be installed in government medical colleges, Adarsh Health Institutes, and various other hospitals across the state.
“Our priority is to make essential diagnostic services accessible and affordable. The new machines will save time, cost, and effort for patients, particularly in remote areas, where diagnostic gaps have historically delayed treatment,” said Dr. Shandil.
The Minister emphasized that this step is part of a larger health transformation initiative. “The state government has ensured sufficient budget allocation and directed all committees to fast-track procurement while maintaining transparency,” he said.
Additionally, the Health Minister announced that upgraded infant care kits—containing 18 essential items—will also be distributed across all government and private hospitals from August. These kits aim to improve neonatal care outcomes and provide dignified postnatal support to mothers and newborns.
Dr. Shandil said the initiative is aligned with the government’s larger vision of turning Himachal into a model state in public healthcare. “We are revamping infrastructure by phasing out old machines, bringing in specialist doctors, and ensuring that even residents in tribal and hard-to-reach areas get world-class healthcare facilities,” he added.
As part of this vision, one model health institute has been planned for each assembly constituency, with two in Lahaul-Spiti. Most of these are already functional and staffed with six specialist doctors each, offering a range of diagnostic and clinical services under one roof.
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