Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said that Medical education was priority area of State Government and Rs. 211.57 crore had been allocated for this vital sector during current fiscal.Virbhadra Singh was speaking on the inaugural session of three day long annual function ‘Stimulus-2014’ of Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) here today. He said that IGMC is one of the premier medical institutions in the State and the Government was committed for strengthening the same. He said that IGMC was being upgraded under Phase-III of the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna with an outlay of Rs. 150 crore.Chief Minister said that with a view to decongest IGMC premises a second campus would be built near Ghanahatti in Shimla district at a cost of Rs. 150 crores. The premises will house a new 100 bedded hospital. He said that in order to provide more space in IGMC College and Hospital the existing Dental College and Nursing College would also be shifted to Ghanahatti campus.“I have laid the foundation stone of OPD Block and Administrative Block at IGMC to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 56.20 crores and Rs. 7.93 crores respectively”, said CM adding that this building would be constructed from Cart Road below IGMC and would come upto the existing Ortho Block. He said that this new Block would have separate entrance and would have doctors’ chambers as well.
Chief Minister said that a sum of Rs. 14.50 crore had been approved for additional 17 PG seats in as many as 10 specialities in IGMC. He said that two Medical Colleges at IGMC and Dr. Rajendra Prasad Medical College, Tanda were providing improvised medical education in government sector in the State.Shri Virbhadra Singh said that three Medical Colleges at Chamba, Hamirpur & Mandi had also been approved by the Government of India with financial assistance of Rs. 190 crore each before announcement of Lok Sabha elections by the then Health Minister Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad. He said that with the opening of these medical colleges Himachal Pradesh would have five government colleges and one ESIC Medical College in Mandi where MBBS classes were being started during current year.
Chief Minister said that Dr. Rajendar Prasad Medical College and Hospital, Tanda came up during his earlier tenure and today it was a complete medical township.Virbhadra Singh said that Government had filled up 71 posts of different categories in IGMC and 57 posts in Dr. RPMGC Tanda in one year. He said that the State Government was committed to improve standards of health care in the State and medical fraternity have to play special role in it.Chief Minister said that Government would ensure timebound promotions to doctors and specialists working at IGMC and Dr. RPMGC. He said that academic allowance of Rs. 7500 would be given to the MBBS students. He announced Rs. 20,000 for promotion of cultural activities to IGMC Central Students Association (CSA).Later, the Chief Minister gave away the prizes to the participants.A colourful cultural programme was also presented by the students.
Earlier, General Secretary, CSA Dr. Manish Thakur welcomed while President CSA Dr. Abhay Minhas read the annual report.Chief Parliamentary Secretary Shri Nand Lal, Principal IGMC Dr. S.S. Kaushal, Staff Adviser Dr. Sanjeev Sharma and Dr. Pyush Kapila also spoke on the occasion.Special Secretary, Health Shri Amitabh Awasthi, Principal Dental College, Dr. R.P. Luthra, Senior Medical Superintendent IGMC Dr. Ramesh Chand, Senior Medical Superintendent KNH Dr. L.S. Chaudhary, faculties and senior doctors and students of medical colleges were present on the occasion.