Shimla: Dr. Radhakrishnan Government Medical College (RKGMC) in Hamirpur will soon begin admitting students to postgraduate medical courses, according to a recent announcement by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

The state has already approved creating and filling six associate professor and ten assistant professor positions in key departments, including general medicine, pediatrics, general surgery, orthopedics, anesthesia, and radiology. Emphasizing the role of specialists in strengthening healthcare services in hospitals and medical colleges, the CM highlighted the importance of introducing postgraduate courses.

A recent Times of India report noted that the Chief Minister underscored the need for additional postgraduate courses at Hamirpur Medical College and Hospital to manage the growing patient load and enhance healthcare services. He mentioned that an essentiality-and-feasibility certificate has been issued for introducing PG courses in ophthalmology, dermatology, and physiology.

The Chief Minister further stated that the state government has approved the hiring of 150 nurses for Dr. RKGMC, Hamirpur. “The government is dedicated to achieving optimal patient-to-nurse ratios, aiming for a 1:1 ratio in ICUs, 1:2 in labor rooms, and 1:4 in antenatal general wards,” he said.

In addition, the CM shared the government’s focus on strengthening medical colleges statewide. Over the past year, 1,182 new positions have been approved for Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) in Shimla and Dr. Rajendra Prasad Medical College in Tanda, Kangra district, as well as Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru Government Medical College in Chamba and Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College and Hospital in Mandi.

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The government also plans to upgrade the healthcare sector in Himachal Pradesh by introducing world-class medical equipment.

These updates coincide with the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) temporarily suspending the Diplomate of National Board (DNB) courses in the state, which will halt DNB seat allocation for the 2024-2025 academic year. NBEMS issued this suspension due to a pending court case filed by students challenging the NBE's decision to transfer students between colleges over issues related to stipend payments.