In a significant move to modernise public healthcare, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has announced a comprehensive plan to integrate maximum online facilities into the state's health ecosystem. The initiative aims to make medical services more accessible, transparent, and efficient for the citizens of the hill state.
Committee to Chart Digital Roadmap Within 10 Days
Chairing a high-level review meeting with officials from the health department, the National Health Mission, and the Directorate of Medical Education on Thursday, CM Sukhu directed the formation of a dedicated committee to execute this digital transformation. The committee will be chaired by Health and Family Welfare Minister Colonel Dhani Ram Shandil (Retd) and has been tasked with submitting its detailed report within a strict timeline of 10 days. The Chief Minister emphasised that adopting digital services would lead to substantial savings in time and resources while simultaneously improving the overall quality of healthcare delivery across Himachal Pradesh.
Key Digital Initiatives for Streamlined Care
The review meeting outlined several concrete steps to be taken under this digital drive. Sukhu instructed officials to develop a robust online patient registration system for all state health institutions and hospitals. This system is expected to streamline services and significantly cut down procedural delays that patients often face.
Focusing on welfare schemes, the Chief Minister stressed the need for thorough mapping of beneficiaries under the Himcare Scheme right down to the panchayat level. He also called for maintaining comprehensive digital records of every patient's treatment history to ensure continuity of care.
Integration and Infrastructure Strengthening
A major integration plan was also unveiled. The Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) card will be linked with the state's Him Parivar portal. This integration is designed to boost transparency and accountability in the health sector. CM Sukhu noted that this widespread digitisation would empower better service monitoring, seamless online record maintenance, and more effective grievance redressal mechanisms for the public.
The Chief Minister affirmed that these online health services would support superior planning, effective administration, and encourage innovation. He stated that this holistic approach ultimately contributes to the larger goal of building a healthy citizenry and a strong state. Sukhu also highlighted that with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the state's health infrastructure is being concurrently strengthened to further elevate the quality of healthcare services.
