Himachal Pradesh's Digital Transformation in Healthcare Services
A New Era for Healthcare in Himachal Pradesh
Sunil Chadha
Shimla
Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has announced a significant transformation in the delivery of healthcare services within the state. He has instructed officials to enhance online facilities throughout the health system, aiming to make services quicker, more transparent, and user-friendly.
During a review meeting with senior health department officials, the National Health Mission, and the Directorate of Medical Education, the CM revealed plans to establish a high-level committee led by Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. (Colonel) Dhani Ram Shandil. This committee is tasked with developing a digital roadmap and is expected to present its recommendations within ten days.
Creating a Digital Health Framework
Sukhu emphasized that the new committee will explore methods to implement and expand online services in government health facilities. He highlighted that digital systems would not only save time and resources but also enhance the quality of healthcare services.
He specifically instructed officials to create an online patient registration system across hospitals and health institutions, which is anticipated to alleviate overcrowding, streamline outpatient services, and enhance the overall patient experience.
Integration of Himcare and ABHA
The Chief Minister underscored the importance of ensuring that the mapping of beneficiaries under the Himcare scheme reaches the panchayat level. He also advocated for the digitization of treatment-related patient data to facilitate better monitoring and planning.
In a pivotal directive, Sukhu urged officials to connect the ABHA card with the Him Parivar Portal, asserting that this digital integration would boost transparency and accountability. He stated, “Online records, effective monitoring, and a robust grievance redressal mechanism will enhance the responsiveness of the system.”
Enhanced Planning and Infrastructure Development
Sukhu noted that the expansion of online health services would support improved planning and administration, foster innovation, and help the state achieve its vision of healthy citizens and a robust Himachal. He added that health infrastructure is being bolstered with assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to further enhance service delivery.
Attending the meeting were Health Minister Dr. Dhani Ram Shandil, Principal Advisor to the CM (Innovation, Digital Technology, and Governance) Gokul Butail, Secretary to the CM Rakesh Kanwar, Health Secretary Priyanka Basu Ingty, and other senior officials.