The Himachal Pradesh government announced a ₹1,300 crore investment under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Phase-II program to strengthen healthcare delivery across the state.
The announcement was made by Chief Minister Shri Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who highlighted a broader plan to invest approximately ₹3,000 crore over the next three years to modernize state health institutions with advanced equipment and world-class facilities.
A state-level health dialogue in Shimla brought together Chief Medical Officers, Block Medical Officers, and Medical Superintendents to discuss grassroots-level challenges, operational bottlenecks, and practical solutions. This was the first time such direct engagement occurred at this scale, marking a significant step toward improving service delivery and administrative efficiency.
To strengthen governance, the government will decentralize administrative and financial powers for faster decision-making and timely healthcare services. Emergency funds will be created for urgent hospital needs, and recruitment reforms include 236 new doctors, 150 additional posts, and enhanced transparency in appointments.
The initiative also includes upgrading infrastructure and technology across Model Health Institutions, replacing outdated equipment, and introducing advanced diagnostic tools such as smart labs capable of multiple tests from a single blood sample. Robotic surgeries are already operational at select hospitals, with plans to expand to medical colleges in Nerchowk and Hamirpur.
The government is also strengthening health benefit schemes like HIMCARE and improving the capacity of Medical Superintendents to issue cards, ensuring wider access to care.
These reforms aim to enhance the quality, accessibility, and efficiency of healthcare services in Himachal Pradesh, positioning the state as a potential national leader in health delivery over the next three years.
