Govt committed to continue fortifying healthcare infrastructure: JP Nadda

March 8, 2025

New Delhi: Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure during a visit to AIIMS Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, where he reviewed the progress of key healthcare initiatives.

On the occasion of Jan Aushadhi Diwas, Nadda visited the institute’s facilities, checking on the availability and functioning of various patient care services. He also laid the foundation stone for the Regional Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL), inaugurated the Nuclear Medicine Facility, and opened an additional Amrit Pharmacy Unit-3 at AIIMS Bilaspur.

“The government is determined to continue enhancing healthcare infrastructure in the region,” Nadda stated, commending the significant development AIIMS Bilaspur has undergone since its foundation was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October 2017. He emphasized that the people of Himachal Pradesh and neighboring regions would greatly benefit from the high-quality medical education and healthcare services provided by AIIMS Bilaspur.

The newly inaugurated Nuclear Medicine Facility at AIIMS Bilaspur boasts advanced technology such as PET/CT, SPECT/CT, and a Low-Dose Therapy (LDT) ward, with an investment of Rs. 30.43 crore. These facilities will support a variety of diagnostic procedures, including renal, liver, bone, thyroid, cardiac, gastrointestinal, and cancer imaging, as well as low-dose radionuclide therapy for certain types of cancer.

Nadda highlighted that the services will be available at significantly lower costs than in the private sector. Patients enrolled in the PMJAY and Himcare insurance schemes, as well as those below the poverty line, will receive these services for free.

Additionally, the VRDL at AIIMS Bilaspur will be one of 11 regional VRDLs in India, equipped with a Biosafety Level 3 laboratory and advanced diagnostic and research capabilities. This facility will play a crucial role in diagnosing viral diseases, monitoring disease outbreaks, and enhancing public health preparedness. By providing local expertise, it aims to improve surveillance and disease reporting, especially in smaller or remote healthcare settings.