Sahara scheme dues to be cleared within week: Himachal Health Minister

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Shimla, July 15

Himachal Pradesh Health Minister Dhani Ram Shandil on Wednesday said the state has significantly strengthened its healthcare system, with staffing levels in the Health Department increasing from nearly 35 percent at the time the present government assumed office to around 80 to 85 percent. He also announced that eligible beneficiaries under the Sahara Scheme would receive their pending payments within a week.  Addressing the media, Shandil said the government has prioritised strengthening healthcare infrastructure and human resources across the state. He said around 70 Model Health Institutions are being developed, with specialist doctors already posted in more than 50 of them, while appointments at the remaining facilities will be completed soon.

The minister said modern medical facilities, including CT scan, ultrasound and X ray services, are being introduced at these institutions, with remote and border areas receiving priority. He added that more than 300 medical officer posts have already been filled, while a proposal to recruit over 200 additional doctors will soon be sent to the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission. Recruitment for 200 staff nurse posts is also underway, with 71 appointments already completed.

Shandil said new X ray machines are being installed at 37 Model Health Institutions and ultrasound machines at 22 centres. Around Rs 325 crore has been released over the past year for the construction and upgradation of healthcare infrastructure across the state. The minister also highlighted efforts to modernise healthcare services through robotic surgery facilities. He said robotic surgery infrastructure has already been established at IGMC Shimla, Super Speciality Hospital Chamiyana, Dr Rajendra Prasad Medical College Tanda and Nerchowk Medical College, while preparations are underway at Hamirpur Medical College.

He said advanced medical equipment, including a 128 slice CT scan machine, digital X ray system, PET CT scanner and a 3 Tesla MRI machine, has been installed at IGMC Shimla. Similar MRI facilities are also being developed at Hamirpur Medical College and Super Speciality Hospital Chamiyana. On the Himcare and Sahara schemes, Shandil said delays in Sahara Scheme payments occurred due to procedural changes and documentation requirements. However, he assured that pending payments to eligible beneficiaries would be released within one week.

He said around Rs 425 crore under Himcare and Rs 235 crore under the Ayushman Bharat scheme remain pending, attributing the delays to financial limits imposed by the Centre. The state government, he added, is clearing the dues in a phased manner. Explaining the exclusion of private hospitals from the Himcare scheme, Shandil said irregularities in treatment and medicine billing had been detected in some cases. He said the government has decided to strengthen healthcare delivery through government institutions while ensuring transparency and better medical services for the public.