BJP Critiques Himachal Government's Health Services Amidst Shortages
BJP's Concerns Over Health Services in Himachal
In Dharamshala, Rakesh Jamwal, the Chief Spokesperson for the BJP and MLA from Sundernagar, has launched a fierce critique of the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu administration, claiming that the government's assertions regarding health services are disconnected from reality.
Jamwal highlighted that despite government claims of advanced super specialty hospitals, the Chamiana Super Specialty Hospital has halted two essential heart tests—Holter Monitoring and Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM)—due to a lack of qualified personnel. He emphasized that these tests are crucial for monitoring cardiac patients over a 24 to 48-hour period, and their discontinuation adversely affects patient care.
Additionally, he noted that Tanda Medical College, a leading institution in the state, is grappling with severe shortages of syringes, needles, gloves, and vital medications. Reports indicate that approximately ₹85 crore in outstanding payments under the Himcare and Ayushman Bharat schemes has hindered procurement, compelling patients to purchase necessary supplies externally.
Jamwal criticized the government for undermining existing healthcare facilities by reallocating staff rather than enhancing them. He stated, “Hospitals cannot function solely based on infrastructure; they require doctors, nurses, technical staff, medications, and timely financial support.”
He also raised concerns regarding Health Minister Dr. Dhaniram Shandil's admission that patients are being charged ₹4 lakh for treatments that should cost ₹2 lakh. “If the minister acknowledges this malpractice, why hasn’t any action been taken?” Jamwal questioned, labeling it a serious indictment of the government's four-year performance.
The BJP leader cautioned that diminishing established hospitals like Tanda, IGMC, Chamiana, and Nerchowk under the guise of new initiatives is unfair to the residents of Himachal Pradesh. He called on the Chief Minister to clarify whether there is a genuine expansion of health services or if the achievements are merely superficial.
In conclusion, Jamwal asserted that the government must prioritize addressing the deficiencies in current healthcare institutions before making new commitments. “Patients require access to doctors, medications, tests, and timely treatment today—not just future promises,” he stated.