Himachal’s Healthcare Dreams: Medical Tourism, Pediatric Care, and Device Innovation
In Parliament today, Dr. Sikander Kumar, Rajya Sabha MP and BJP State General Secretary, pressed the Union Health Ministry on whether the newly proposed Regional Medical Centers in the Union Budget would directly benefit Himachal Pradesh. He asked if these centers could strengthen the state’s push for medical tourism and whether specialized pediatric care hubs would be set up to tackle infant mortality in the state’s tough terrains. He also sought clarity on the progress of Medical Device Parks, which could help reduce healthcare costs for Himachal’s people.
Responding to these concerns, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel explained that the government plans to establish five regional medical centers in partnership with the private sector. These centers will serve as integrated healthcare complexes, combining medical services, education, research, AYUSH facilities, and infrastructure for diagnosis, rehabilitation, and medical tourism.
She emphasized that health remains a state subject, with primary responsibility lying with state governments. However, the Union Ministry continues to support reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health initiatives under the National Health Mission, based on state-submitted plans.
On the issue of Medical Device Parks, Patel highlighted that the scheme aims to create shared infrastructure and testing facilities to lower costs and improve affordability. While Himachal Pradesh’s proposal was initially approved, the state later withdrew, opting to fund the project independently.
For Himachal, the message is clear: opportunities for advanced healthcare and medical tourism are on the horizon, but much depends on how the state leverages central support and its own resources to turn these plans into reality.
