Himachal Govt mulls non-practising allowance for specialist medical officers: CM Sukhu
Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Monday that the state government is considering granting Non-Practising Allowance (NPA) to Medical Officers (Specialist), while announcing an Rs 800-crore push to strengthen cancer care institutions across the state.
Chairing a meeting of the Health Department, Sukhu said the state government was committed to providing world-class healthcare services to patients within the state and had taken several steps in this regard, yielding positive outcomes, according to a statement issued here.
In view of the rising number of cancer cases in the state, the government will spend Rs 800 crore to strengthen cancer care institutions, he said.
The chief minister directed the constitution of an expert committee to recommend a future roadmap for strengthening cancer care institutions, reports PTI.
Sukhu said the state government was in the process of procuring high-end machines and equipment at par with those available at AIIMS Delhi to bolster diagnostic and patient-care facilities.
He said the government was also planning exposure visits to renowned and world-class healthcare institutions abroad for medical students and faculty to acquaint them with advanced treatment practices and incorporate them into healthcare institutions across the state.
The government is also planning to adopt new-age healthcare techniques, including gene and molecular therapy, he said.
He added that the state government was prioritising the strengthening of all medical colleges and filling vacant posts in healthcare institutions.
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the Himachal Pradesh government aims to achieve 90 per cent staffing across government medical colleges by December 31, 2026, covering doctors, paramedical personnel and other support staff, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said. The announcement was made during the Chief Minister's visit to Kangra district, where he outlined several measures to strengthen healthcare services and improve staffing at government health institutions.
