Committed to provide affordable, modern and quality healthcare services says Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu
Chamiyana becomes second government healthcare institution in the state to get advanced 3-Tesla MRI
5 Dariya News
Shimla 11-Jul-2026
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today inaugurated a state-of-the-art 3-Tesla MRI facility at the Atal Institute of Medical Super Specialities (AIMSS), Chamiyana, Shimla. With this, the AIMSS has become the second government healthcare institution in Himachal Pradesh, after IGMC Shimla, which has been equipped with the advanced imaging technology. The 3-Tesla MRI machine, installed at a cost of approximately Rs. 23 crore, represents the latest generation of magnetic resonance imaging technology, offering superior image quality, faster scanning and enhanced diagnostic accuracy.
The Chief Minister said that equipping government health institutions with cutting-edge medical technology remains a top priority of the present state government and added that the installation of the advanced MRI facility would significantly strengthen the diagnostic capabilities of various super-specialty departments, enabling doctors to diagnose and treat complex medical conditions more effectively.
He added that patients would no longer have to travel outside the institution for MRI investigations, resulting in substantial savings of both time and money while ensuring timely access to quality healthcare services. Speaking to media persons on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that healthcare and education remain the state government’s top priorities and that there was no shortage of funds for strengthening these two vital sectors.
He said the government was undertaking comprehensive reforms to upgrade medical technology across the state after extensive consultations with doctors serving in the government medical colleges. The Chief Minister said the government was committed to providing affordable, modern and quality healthcare to patients within the state. In this direction, the government was not only filling up vacant posts of doctors but also equipping all government medical colleges with advanced medical technologies and state-of-the-art diagnostic equipments.
He added that the state government was also offering competitive pay scales to doctors to attract and retain skilled medical professionals. Criticising the previous BJP government, the Chief Minister said that inadequate attention was paid to the healthcare sector, resulting in outdated medical equipment remaining in use for years.
He said the 19-year-old MRI machine at the IGMC Shimla has been replaced with a modern 3-Tesla MRI system, and similar advanced machines would be installed in other government medical colleges of the State in the coming years. He further informed that the state government would invest Rs. 125 crore to establish automated laboratories in government medical colleges, enabling fully automated and highly accurate diagnostic tests, which would significantly improve patient care and treatment outcomes.
Sh. Sukhu said that the government was strengthening Atal Institute of Medical Super Specialities (AIMSS), Chamiyana, where robotic surgery services were introduced for the first time in the State. The robotic facility has since been started in Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda, IGMC Shimla and Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College, Ner Chowk.
He said the government was providing robotic surgery facilities to patients at subsidised rates, whereas such procedures are prohibitively expensive in private hospitals. Similarly, MRI and PET scan services are also being made available at affordable rates in Himachal Pradesh.
He added that the government's objective was to achieve zero waiting time for all diagnostic tests by implementing systematic reforms across the healthcare system. Later, the Chief Minister reviewed the functioning of the institute during a meeting with doctors at AIMSS, Chamiyana.
He said work on the Chamiyana approach road has commenced and the required funds have already been made available by the state government. To improve connectivity to the institute, e-bus services would also be introduced. He further stated that the number of Senior Resident seats at the institute would be increased.
The government was also filling 800 nursing posts and would appoint 200 Associate Professors by December, 2026. On the occasion, the Chief Minister also launched the AIMSS mobile application, which would enable patients to access comprehensive information about the institute and its services. He also launched the institute's cleanliness monitoring system to strengthen sanitation management and ensure higher standards of hygiene across the hospital premises.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil, MLA Harish Janartha, Mayor Municipal Corporation Shimla Surinder Chauhan, Director Health Services Dr. Gopal Berry, Principal AIMSS Dr. Brij Sharma and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.