Himachal : Shri Virbhadra Singh, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh called on the Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Shri J P Nadda. They discussed various issues relating to the health sector in Himachal Pradesh. During the meeting, the Chief Minister requested Shri J P Nadda to expedite the process of establishing AIIMS in Himachal Pradesh. The Chief Minister also requested Shri J P Nadda for providing financial support for installing the equipment in ESI Medical College at Mandi. Shri J P Nadda assured all the support and cooperation to the state of Himachal Pradesh.

Shri J P Nadda also raised issues regarding allotment of the land for new branch of National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) at Shimla. The Minister said that NCDC requires 2-3 acres of land from the State to set up a world class lab in the state at the cost of Rs 10 Crore. He requested the Chief Minister to expedite the process of transferring the land so that necessary steps can be taken up for establishing such a facility in the State. The Minister further said that the clearance for establishing Medical College attached to the District Hospitals of Hamirpur and Chamba is still pending and the State government should take proactive steps for establishing both the colleges. The centre has earmarked Rs 189 Crores for each college, Shri Nadda added.

The Health Minister added that even though the tender worth Rs. 62.55 Crore for the super speciality hospital Block at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla has been awarded, the civil work has not yet started. The state government may look into this and take necessary action so that the project is not delayed further. The Health Minister also urged for allotting the land for Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) and Drug Testing Lab at Baddi so that the project can be rolled out smoothly. CDSCO Sub Zonal Office with Drug Testing lab shall cost about Rs. 10 Crore, the Health Minister stated.

The Health Minister further informed that the Ministry is seeking proposals from the State for establishing Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Mental Health at the cost of Rs 30 Crore and the Government of Himachal Pradesh should send the proposal to the Ministry for consideration. He further mentioned that the Ministry has approved the establishment of Geriatric Centre at Tanda under the Rashtriya Varishth Jan Swasthya Yojana (RVJSY). The state government is requested to adopt this scheme and sign an MoU with the Ministry.

During the meeting, the Health Minister also recalled the announcement made by Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping, regarding the 56 New National Highways for Himachal Pradesh. The Health Minister requested the Chief Minister to expedite the preparation of DPRs for these National Highways too and assured all the support to the State.