Shimla: Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday inaugurated an MRI machine worth Rs 23 crore and a Tertiary Care Cancer Centre equipped with LINAC and CT Simulator machines at Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Govt Medical College and Hospital , Nerchowk in Mandi district .




Sukhu also laid the foundation stone for a Rs 510-crore PET Scan Machine Block , as part of efforts to expand specialised healthcare facilities in the state.




Interacting with faculty and students, Sukhu said strengthening the health sector was the state govt’s priority and that all medical colleges would be equipped with modern diagnostic and treatment facilities to reduce the need for patients to travel outside Himachal.




The CM said automated laboratories were being established at medical colleges, enabling multiple tests from a single sample. The govt was also considering overseas exposure visits for MBBS students and faculty to familiarise them with advanced healthcare practices.




Sukhu said two-three major departments in each medical college would be strengthened on priority. At Nerchowk, 123 nurses have already been deployed, while 25-30 additional ICU beds would be added. He said 320 postgraduate seats would be added this year and senior residency programmes had started at Nerchowk and Tanda medical colleges. The govt has also sanctioned 800 posts for technical and paramedical staff.