Shimla: Union minister of health and family welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda visited the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Bilaspur on Friday and launched several health facilities.
During the visit, he interacted with AIIMS officials, doctors, and patients and reiterated the central govt’s commitment to expanding health services. He announced plans to establish 25,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras by 2027.
The health minister inaugurated the Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) pharmacy on the third floor of AIIMS Bilaspur. This pharmacy will offer life-saving medicines at a discount of over 50per cent. He claimed that this is the 225th AMRIT Pharmacy in the country, benefiting patients with cost-effective treatment options.
He also inaugurated Rs 25 crore-worth Positron Emission Tomography – Computed Tomography (PET CT) and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT CT) scanners. These advanced imaging tools will help in the accurate diagnosis of cancer, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. While PET CT will facilitate the early detection of cancer and heart diseases, SPECT CT will aid in detailed examinations of bones, kidneys, and heart conditions.
Nadda laid the foundation stone for a Virology Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL), which will be built at an estimated cost of Rs 10 crore. The laboratory will be instrumental in the detection of infectious diseases and viral outbreaks. It will also play a crucial role in virus research, vaccine development, and epidemic management in the future. He also performed the bhoomi pujan (groundbreaking ceremony) for a rest house, to be constructed at a cost of Rs 15 crore. This facility will be a relief for patients and their families who require long-term treatment at AIIMS.
Hamirpur MP Anurag Thakur has suggested increasing the capacity of the rest house from 250 to 500 beds.
The Union minister announced the construction of an indoor stadium Rs 4.90 crore, at AIIMS Bilaspur. Under the Bhishma Cube Arogya Maitri Scheme, AIIMS Bilaspur will receive support in extending advanced medical services to remote areas.
