Yog Raj Sharma
The North News
Shimla, March 11
Robotic surgery services have been launched at Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, the largest government hospital in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurated the facility on Wednesday and observed a gall bladder operation being performed using robotic technology. He also interacted with doctors to understand how the system works.
The chief minister said the cost of robotic surgery would be about ₹30,000 for patients admitted to the general ward, while those opting for a special ward would pay around ₹50,000.
He added that robotic surgery services had already been introduced in three medical colleges in the state and would gradually be expanded to other institutions.
“We have sought a report on including robotic surgery under the Himcare Scheme so that patients can avail the treatment through the health card,” Sukhu said.
He said the state government plans to introduce the facility in all medical colleges, with the next phase expected to include the Hamirpur Medical College.
Responding to political developments in the state, Sukhu said discussions about the possibility of a “third front” had always existed in Himachal politics. He also criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party, alleging that the party was divided into several factions and was focused mainly on blame politics.
The chief minister further said the opposition had not supported the state during recent disasters and had failed to raise issues such as the restoration of the revenue deficit grant with the central government.
On concerns about LPG supplies amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, Sukhu said the supply of cooking gas falls under the jurisdiction of the central government and that it was monitoring the situation.
