Tanda Medical College's upgrade to PGI status gains momentum
RPGMC-Tanda’s Road to PGIMER
Shimla: The push to upgrade Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College (RPGMC), Tanda, into a Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) is rapidly gaining momentum, transforming from a regional plea into a powerful people's movement.
For over 30 lakh residents across Kangra, Chamba, Una, Hamirpur, and surrounding districts, this is not a political agenda—it is a necessity rooted in lived experience and daily struggle for access to healthcare.
In medical emergencies, time is life. Yet, people in this vast region are often forced to travel several hours—sometimes in critical condition—to reach advanced healthcare institutions like IGMC-Shimla, AIIMS-Bilaspur, or PGI-Chandigarh.
Upgrading RPGMC-Tanda to PGI status would not only fill this void but also decentralise the overburdened health system of Himachal Pradesh. It would provide timely access to super-speciality services, modern diagnostic tools, emergency critical care, and advanced surgeries.
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While private hospitals continue to grow, their high costs place them out of reach for most people. For the poor and middle class, public healthcare remains the only reliable lifeline. Upgrading RPGMC-Tanda to the standards of a PGI-level institute would help bridge this gap—making world-class healthcare a right for all, not a privilege for a few, no matter where they live or what they earn.
The success of AIIMS-Bilaspur proves that the government has the vision and capacity to establish world-class institutions in Himachal. But the lower hill belt of Kangra-Chamba, home to nearly 60% of the state’s population, still waits for its due.
As per Tribune India, with its existing infrastructure, trained faculty, and strategic location, RPGMC-Tanda is uniquely positioned to evolve into a PGI of national stature. With the right investment and intent, it could serve not just Himachal, but the entire lower and mid-Himalayan region.
This demand cuts across party lines and election cycles. It is the voice of the people—a grassroots call for health, dignity, and development. From civil society and healthcare workers to patients and students, support for PGI-Tanda is growing stronger by the day.
Now is the time for action. Policymakers, civil society, and elected representatives must come together to push this vision forward. RPGMC-Tanda as PGI-Tanda isn’t just a proposal — it’s a promise. A promise of a healthier, more inclusive, and more equitable Himachal Pradesh.
