Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu marked National Immunisation Day by personally launching the state-level Intensified Pulse Polio Campaign from Kullu's Kamla Nehru Hospital on Sunday. The event set in motion a massive public health effort aimed at protecting the state's youngest citizens from the debilitating disease.
Major Health Infrastructure Announcements
During the launch ceremony, CM Sukhu made several significant announcements aimed at revolutionising healthcare in the hill state. He revealed plans to establish an advanced paediatric centre at the Atal Institute of Medical Super Specialities (AIMSS) in Chamiyana. This centre is envisioned to provide world-class treatment to children, backed by modern medical infrastructure.
In a move to aid the elderly, the Chief Minister declared that special Outpatient Department (OPD) consultation slots would be introduced in hospitals specifically for senior citizens aged 70 and above. This initiative is designed to ensure they receive timely and convenient treatment without enduring long waiting times.
Sukhu emphasised that all vacant positions within the health department are being filled in a phased manner, a step critical to improving the overall quality and reach of medical services across Himachal Pradesh.
Scale of the Polio Immunisation Drive
The launched pulse polio campaign is a colossal exercise in preventive healthcare. The state government aims to administer polio drops to nearly 600,000 children in the 0 to 5 years age group. To achieve this, the administration has set up 5,793 polio booths across Himachal's districts.
For the smooth execution of the drive, a small army of 11,706 vaccination teams has been deployed. Understanding that some children might be missed on the primary day, the government has scheduled mop-up activities for December 22 and 23. On these days, health workers will conduct door-to-door visits to cover missed children, migrant families, and populations in high-risk areas.
The Chief Minister assured that all necessary preparations are complete, stating, "All required vaccines, cold-chain equipment, and other logistics have already been supplied to all districts."
Multi-Crore Technological Modernisation of Health Sector
Outlining a broader vision for healthcare, CM Sukhu stated that the state government is giving the highest priority to integrating modern technology into medical services. In a historic development, robotic surgery facilities have been introduced at AIMSS Chamiyana in Shimla and at Tanda Medical College in Kangra district.
The government is undertaking a massive ₹3,000 crore investment to replace outdated equipment and install advanced machines like MRI scanners, CT scans, and modern X-ray units across health institutions. This overhaul is part of a plan to upgrade the state's health services to the standards of premier institutions like AIIMS Delhi.
Furthermore, the establishment of modern trauma centres equipped with advanced facilities is underway to ensure better emergency care for patients involved in accidents.
Before concluding the event, Chief Minister Sukhu took time to interact with patients and their attendants at Kamla Nehru Hospital, issuing necessary directives to the concerned officers to address their grievances and improve hospital services.
