Himachal Pradesh : ‘Senior Residency Policy’ for medical colleges on the anvil

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday announced that the state government will formulate a comprehensive Senior Residency Policy for all medical colleges in Himachal Pradesh, aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery and improving medical education.

Presiding over a high-level meeting of the Health Education and Health Department, the Chief Minister said the policy would focus on the rationalisation of senior resident posts to ensure optimal utilisation of human resources across medical institutions. As part of the proposed reforms, the quota for General Duty Officers (GDOs) in senior residency positions will be increased to 66 per cent, replacing the existing 50:50 ratio between GDOs and direct recruits.

Sukhu said the government would also introduce MD and MS programmes in additional disciplines at medical colleges in Chamba, Nahan, Hamirpur and Nerchowk. These measures, he said, would significantly enhance the state’s healthcare infrastructure while expanding academic opportunities for medical students.

To strengthen specialised healthcare services, the Chief Minister announced that DM and MCh super-specialists would be appointed in medical colleges across the state. He further said that state-of-the-art Intensive Care Units (ICUs) equipped with advanced medical technology would be established in all government medical colleges.

In a major patient-centric initiative, Sukhu said the government would appoint 1,000 Patient Care Assistants, known as Rogi Mitras—500 in medical colleges and 500 in other health institutions. A pilot project will be launched in Hamirpur district, for which a standard operating procedure has already been finalised. In the initial phase, Rogi Mitras will be deployed at Primary Health Centres (PHCs).

Additionally, Rogi Mitras will be introduced on a pilot basis to assist patients above the age of 70 at Chamiyana Hospital and at medical colleges in Shimla and Tanda. Dedicated Rogi Mitra counters will also be set up at these institutions.

Reiterating the government’s commitment to strengthening health education and service delivery, the Chief Minister said innovative measures supported by long-term strategic planning are being implemented to improve healthcare outcomes across Himachal Pradesh.

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