Parliament Question: Transformation in health sector in Himachal Pradesh

GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE RAJYASABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 2018 TO BE ANSWEREDON10.03.2026 TRANSFORMATIONIN HEALTH SECTOR INHIMACHALPRADESH 2018DR. SIKANDER KUMAR: Will the Ministerof HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate: (a) whether the proposal in current Union Budget for Regional Medical Hubs would specifically benefit HimachalPradesh,andsupport the State’sinitiativeof promotingmedical tourism inspecialised areas; (b) whether the Union Ministry have plans toestablish a specialised, state-of-the-art AdvancedPediatric Care and Innovation Centre in Himachal Pradesh to combat high infant mortality rates in challenging terrains; and (c) the steps taken by the Ministry to expedite Medical Device Park in Himachal Pradesh, which is crucialfor lowering the cost of medicalequipmentinthe State? ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH & FAMILYWELFARE (SMT.ANUPRIYAPATEL) (a): To promote India as a hub for medical tourism services, Government of India, in the Union Budget 2026-27, has proposed a Scheme to support States in establishing five Regional Medical Hubs, in partnership with the private sector. These Hubs will serve as integrated healthcare complexes that combine medical, educational and research facilities. They will have AYUSH Centres, Medical Value Tourism Facilitation Centres and infrastructure for diagnostics, post-care and rehabilitation. These Hubs will providediverse jobopportunitiesforhealthprofessionalsincludingdoctorsandAHPs. (b): Health is a State subject. The primary responsibility of availability of health facilities lies with the respective State Governments. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare supports implementation of the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) strategy under the National Health Mission (NHM) based on the Annual Program Implementation Plan (APIP) submitted by respective States/ UT. (c): The Scheme for Promotion of Medical Devices Parks aims to create common infrastructure and testing facilities for increased competitiveness and cost reduction through optimisation of resources and economies of scale, thereby leading to better availability and affordability of medical devices in the domestic market. Under the scheme, Government of India had approved proposals received from State Governmentsof Uttar Pradesh,TamilNadu, Madhya PradeshandHimachalPradesh.However, theState Government of Himachal Pradesh subsequently withdrew from the scheme stating that it will fund the projectfromownsources. *******