A significant advancement for healthcare education in Himachal Pradesh has emerged with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s announcement regarding the introduction of post-graduate (PG) courses at Dr Radhakrishnan Government Medical College (RKGMC) in Hamirpur.
The state government has sanctioned the creation of six associate professor and ten assistant professor positions in critical medical departments, including General Medicine, Paediatrics, General Surgery, Orthopaedics, Anaesthesia, and Radiology. This initiative aims to address the increasing demand for specialists in the region.
During the announcement, Sukhu emphasized the importance of specialists in enhancing healthcare services at medical colleges and hospitals, stating, “The introduction of PG programmes is vital for advancing patient care.” He also highlighted the growing patient load at RKGMC, underscoring the need for additional PG courses in various specialities. The government has already issued essentiality and feasibility certificates for new Ophthalmology, Dermatology, and Physiology PG programmes, paving the way for a more comprehensive medical education framework.
To further strengthen staffing levels at RKGMC, the government has approved 150 new nursing positions. This move aims to achieve optimal patient-to-nurse ratios, particularly a 1:1 ratio in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and a 1:4 ratio in antenatal general wards, ensuring that patients promptly receive the care they need.
Moreover, the state has created 1,182 new posts for medical staff across other prominent institutions, including Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) in Shimla and Dr Rajendra Prasad Medical College in Tanda. Similar initiatives are underway at various medical colleges throughout the state, and these developments reflect the Himachal Pradesh government's commitment to bolstering healthcare infrastructure and meeting the increasing needs of its growing patient population. The introduction of PG courses at RKGMC marks a pivotal step towards enhancing the region's medical education and healthcare services.