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Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Himachal makes masks mandatory in hospitals
Stepping up vigil after an 82-year-old woman tested positive for Covid in Nahan, the Himachal Pradesh health department on Wednesday made it compulsory to wear masks in all hospital premises. Health minister Dhani Ram Shandil said, 'There is just one case. There is no need to panic.' Indira Gandhi Medical College's deputy medical superintendent Dr Praveen Bhatia said the institution was fully prepared and a close watch was being kept on the situation. 'As of now, there is no advisory regarding random testing. People will be tested for Covid only after seeing symptoms. Though testing kits are short in number as some have expired, we will raise this issue in case we witness a surge in cases,' he said. Bhatia said, 'The hospital also has 150 oxygen-equipped beds ready. The old trauma centre, having 100-bed capacity, is vacant, which can immediately be put to use in case of surge. We have a shortage of staff nurses. This issue has already been raised with higher authorities.' He further said that an advisory had been issued to the staff, including security, to ensure there is no crowding, and physical distancing is maintained besides wearing masks in the hospital. Only one attendant will be allowed with a patient. At Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College & Hospital, Nerchowk (Mandi), deputy medical superintendent Dr Rakesh Mohan said the institution was prepared to handle any emergency situation. 'The makeshift Covid hospital set up during the pandemic is still functional, and staff have been deputed accordingly. Most of the ventilators are operational. For those requiring repairs, we have called in a technical team to ensure they are functional. If the situation demands, we are ready to scale up the facilities,' he said. The college currently has two oxygen generation plants — one with a capacity of 500 litres per minute (LPM) and another with 1,000 LPM. Officials said the 500 LPM plant is operational, while the 1,000 LPM unit is facing some technical issues which are being addressed. An official from the hospital also raised concerns regarding staffing. 'The government had cancelled the contracts of ward attendants and sanitation staff deployed during the Covid-19 period. With a potential rise in patient load, additional manpower may be required. The government should consider providing supplementary staff,' the official said. At Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda (Kangra), principal Dr Milap Sharma said the institution is fully equipped to handle any emerging situation. 'Patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) will be segregated and those testing positive for Covid-19 will be isolated. So far, we have not recorded a significant number of such cases,' he said. 'We have 85 fully functional ventilators. Additionally, the college is equipped with a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) medical oxygen generation plant and a 15 KL liquid oxygen cryogenic facility, both of which are operational,' he added. The 82-year-old Covid patient had arrived at the Nahan Medical College and Hospital on Tuesday morning, complaining of cold and cough, and subsequently tested positive. She was advised hospitalisation but she refused so hospital authorities urged her to go for home isolation.
News18
3 days ago
- Business
- News18
Himachal Ends Free OPD Registration In Hospitals, Fee To Be Charged From June 5
Last Updated: The Himachal govt says the move aims to improve healthcare services and generate resources. Official orders regarding the new charges were issued on June 3 In a significant decision, the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government of Himachal Pradesh has announced that from June 5, all government health institutions across the state will charge a fee for OPD slips. Patients will now be required to pay Rs 10 for registration slips. The Secretary of the Health Department has issued a notification to this effect. Additionally, 133 different tests conducted in hospitals will no longer be free, with the government deciding to impose fixed fees for these tests. However, exceptions have been made for 14 categories of people, including cancer and kidney patients, pregnant women, elderly people over 60, TB patients, Divyang (differently abled), mentally ill, jail inmates, National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) beneficiaries, patients covered under the free medicine scheme, disaster victims, HIV-positive patients, children in child reform homes, and residents of old age homes and orphanages. The Himachal Pradesh government has asserted that this move aims to enhance health services and secure resources. Official orders were issued on June 3. In the order issued by the Health Secretary, it has been stated that, based on the recommendations of the Cabinet Sub-Committee, a decision has been taken to allow the collection of user charges to strengthen and improve the services provided by the Rogi Kalyan Samitis. These services include hygiene, cleanliness, and the maintenance of infrastructure and equipment. Additionally, it has been decided that a consultation fee of Rs 10 will be charged from all patients at the time of registration at the hospital. Previously, government hospitals in Himachal Pradesh did not charge for prescriptions, and registration was free. However, facing a severe financial crisis, the state government has had to cut back on many free services. Health Minister Dhani Ram Shandil noted that people often do not keep their prescriptions safely, which has led the government to implement the new fee. First Published: June 04, 2025, 10:56 IST
India Gazette
13-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"War never a solution to any problem; Dialogue is only way forward": Himachal Minister Shandil on India-Pak tensions
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], May 13 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Minister for Sainik Welfare, Colonel (Retired) Dhani Ram Shandil, on Tuesday, emphasised the importance of responsible leadership and peaceful diplomacy amid tensions between India and Pakistan. Reacting to recent statements made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding cross-border issues and national security, Shandil said that all country people are united on the issue. 'A Prime Minister carries a huge responsibility, and they must fulfil that responsibility with seriousness. Whatever he said is indeed worth serious thought. Both the ruling party and the opposition are standing together with him,' said Shandil. 'War is never a solution to any problem. I've fought three wars myself. Dialogue is the only way forward,' he said. Shandil, who served as an army officer and is also a military scholar, pointed out the consistent strategy of Pakistan to destabilise India through a slow, continuous campaign of proxy warfare. 'If we look at Pakistan, their approach has always been that of 'bleeding the nation.' I have been a soldier in the army and a military student too. I have seen Pakistan's activities and the way they have structured them, this 'bleed India' doctrine, where they keep inflicting small but continuous damage, so that India cannot progress,' he said. Expressing shock over recent developments in Pakistan, the Himachal Pradesh Minister noted, 'It is truly astonishing that a Chief of Army Staff is saluting a terrorist upon his death. In service, they even elevate terrorists by making them religious leaders or Maulvis,' he said. Shandil warned of the grave consequences if such provocations continue unchecked. 'If once again such acts happen, which have now been stopped, the world must be made aware. Both nations in Asia are nuclear-armed. But there must be stability in this region,' he urged. Advocating for peace and economic growth, he added, 'If we want economic development and progress, then absolutely no to war, that is my belief.' Colonel Shandil also dismissed the idea of third-party mediation in the India-Pakistan conflict. 'I don't think any kind of mediation will help, nor has it ever helped. We believe in direct dialogue. Intervention by America or any other external player is not acceptable,' he said. India has launched 'Operation Sindoor' on May 7 to strike multiple terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir in retaliation for a deadly attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22 in which 26 tourists were killed. (ANI)
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launches e-Kalyan portal
Shimla: Chief minister on Monday launched the e-Kalyan portal of the department for the empowerment of scheduled castes, other backward classes, minorities, and specially abled (ESOMSA). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The portal has been developed under Him-Parivar. The e-Kalyan portal will enable all eligible applicants of the state to apply online for benefits under various pension schemes run by the directorate of ESOMSA. Providing social security pensions to the needy was one of the top priorities of the state govt, said Sukhu. The CM highlighted that eight pension schemes were currently operational in the state to benefit the vulnerable sections of society. He said Rs 1,410 crore was spent on these schemes during the last financial year, benefiting over 8.24 lakh individuals. Sukhu further said an additional 37,000 beneficiaries would be included under the social security pension schemes during the current financial year, on which an additional expenditure of Rs 67 crore would be incurred. The e-Kalyan portal is integrated with databases such as Him Bhoomi, Him Parivar, Aadhaar, and PDS ration card. Applicants can apply directly or through Lokmitra Kendras by visiting The initiative will discourage applicants from visiting govt offices for certification or submission of applications. Updates regarding application errors, verification, and approvals will be sent digitally, allowing applicants to track their applications from home, said the CM. Social justice and empowerment minister Colonel Dhani Ram Shandil (retd), industries minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, and PWD minister Vikramaditya Singh were also present. MSID:: 120696661 413 |
