Himachal Govt strengthens Himachal’s healthcare with increase in PG medical seats from 277 to 597
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil said that Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has achieved a historic milestone by increasing postgraduate (PG) medical seats in six government medical colleges across the state from 277 to 597. The increase of 320 seats has been approved by the NMC. He said that this is the biggest increase in PG medical seats in the last 40 years. The expansion is an important step towards strengthening the training of specialist doctors, ensuring the availability of more specialists, and improving healthcare services across the state.
The Minister said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the State Government has focused on strengthening government medical colleges, expanding opportunities for postgraduate medical education and improving the availability of specialized healthcare.
With the increase, Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla has expanded its PG seats from 139 to 230, an increase of 91 seats. Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda has increased its intake from 99 to 156, adding 57 seats. Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College, Mandi has increased its seats from 24 to 79, an addition of 55. Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar Government Medical College, Nahan has expanded from 3 to 35 seats, adding 32. Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru Government Medical College, Chamba has increased from 4 to 32 seats, adding 28, while Dr. Radhakrishnan Government Medical College, Hamirpur has expanded from 8 to 65 seats, adding 57 seats.
Dr. Shandil said that the expansion would provide greater opportunities for young doctors to pursue specialized medical education within the state and strengthen the availability of trained specialists in government hospitals. He said that increasing the number of specialist doctors is essential to improving patient care and ensuring that people, particularly those living in rural, remote and far-flung areas have better access to specialized medical services.
The Minister further said that to support this expansion the state government has created 218 posts of Senior Residents and Tutor Specialists in government medical colleges during the last three years. These include 54 posts at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda 31 at Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar Government Medical College, Nahan 32 at Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru Government Medical College, Chamba 36 at Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College, Mandi 63 at Dr. Radhakrishnan Government Medical College, Hamirpur and two at the Atal Institute of Medical Super Specialties, Chamiyana.
He said that the creation of these 218 posts, alongside the expansion of PG medical seats, reflects the government’s focus on strengthening the specialist workforce required for medical education and healthcare delivery. The additional positions will support postgraduate training, enhance clinical services and contribute to improving patient care across the state.
He said that the present Congress government focused on expanding medical education and strengthening specialist staffing to meet the needs of the people. He added that the increase in PG seats from 277 to 597 and the creation of 218 Senior Resident and Tutor Specialist posts reflected the present government’s emphasis on institutional strengthening and healthcare delivery.
The Minister further said that expanding postgraduate medical education and creating specialist positions are important steps towards developing a stronger medical workforce and improving the capacity of government hospitals to provide advanced treatment. Greater availability of trained specialists would help patients receive appropriate treatment closer to home and reduce the need to travel outside Himachal Pradesh for specialized medical services.