Nadda announces major developments at AIIMS Bilaspur to boost healthcare services
Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda chaired a review meeting at AIIMS Bilaspur today, where several key developments were announced to enhance the healthcare facilities in the region. The minister revealed that the Central Government will appoint 29 assistant professors to address the shortage of doctors at AIIMS. In addition, 98 staff members will be recruited to further support the healthcare services provided by the institute.
Significant infrastructure projects are also in the pipeline, including the construction of a 204-bed boys’ hostel, a 334-bed girls’ hostel, and 72 staff quarters for MBBS trainee doctors, with an estimated cost of over ₹178 crore. Additionally, four lecture halls and a 538 kW rooftop solar panel system will be installed, costing ₹10 crore.
The minister also unveiled an innovative plan to collect TB samples using drones within a 100-kilometer radius of AIIMS, aiming to make Himachal Pradesh tuberculosis-free. Samples will be collected from the Dharmapur TB Institute and delivered to AIIMS, with all formalities completed by the district and AIIMS administrations.
Nadda emphasized the importance of integrating the ambulance services of the state government with AIIMS to ensure patients can easily access emergency transportation when needed. He also instructed the AIIMS administration to digitalize the patient registration system by December to eliminate long queues, allowing patients to register quickly and efficiently.
To strengthen medical education in the state, the Health Minister announced that exposure visits will be organized at AIIMS for professors from all four medical colleges in Himachal Pradesh. This initiative aims to help these colleges implement best practices from AIIMS in their own institutions. A plan for this collaboration will be developed by AIIMS and the state health department.
The minister also shared plans to open a central school near AIIMS from the upcoming academic session to provide quality education for the children of AIIMS staff. He instructed the administration to finalize land acquisition for the school as soon as possible.
Additionally, AIIMS will prepare a proposal to establish a solid-liquid waste management plant, which will be submitted to the government for approval.
Since its inception, AIIMS Bilaspur has conducted over 5 million OPDs, admitted and treated 35,000 patients, and is currently providing healthcare services through 38 departments, including 17 specialists and 13 super-specialists, with 690 beds available for patients.
Nadda also urged AIIMS to expand its telemedicine services across all districts of Himachal Pradesh, so patients in remote areas can receive quality healthcare without having to travel long distances.
The minister concluded by congratulating the AIIMS Bilaspur team for successfully performing its first kidney operation.
Notable attendees at the meeting included Himachal Pradesh Health Minister Colonel Dhani Ram Shandil, MP Anurag Thakur, former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, and other senior officials.