Call to upgrade Tanda college to PGIMER gains momentum

The call to upgrade Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College (RPGMC), Tanda, into a Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) is gaining strength with each passing day. More than just a regional aspiration, it is a long-standing public demand born out of necessity, not politics. For the over 30 lakh residents of Kangra, Chamba, Una, Hamirpur and adjoining districts, this demand represents a hope for accessible, affordable and quality healthcare.

Currently, patients in this vast region are forced to travel several hours — often in critical condition — to reach advanced medical centres such as IGMC-Shimla, AIIMS-Bilaspur or PGI-Chandigarh. In life-threatening emergencies, the long journey itself becomes a major barrier. Upgrading RPGMC-Tanda to PGI status would ensure timely access to specialised treatment, saving countless lives while also decentralising Himachal Pradesh’s healthcare infrastructure.

The benefits of such an upgrade would be transformative. It would make super-specialty services, advanced diagnostic facilities and critical care units locally available. Equally important, it would turn the RPGMC into a centre for postgraduate education and medical research, attracting top doctors and offering career opportunities for the region’s youth. This would reduce the load on smaller institutions and create a more balanced distribution of healthcare across the state.

At a time when private hospitals are expanding, they remain unaffordable for the majority. For the poor and middle class, public institutions are the only dependable option. Strengthening RPGMC-Tanda into a PGI-level institute would ensure that world-class healthcare is not a privilege, but a right available to all citizens, regardless of income or geography.

The establishment of AIIMS-Bilaspur showcased the government’s vision for equitable healthcare. A similar commitment is now required for the lower hill belt of Kangra-Chamba, which accounts for nearly 60% of Himachal’s population.

With its existing infrastructure, trained faculty, and strategic location, RPGMC-Tanda is uniquely positioned to evolve into a PGI of national stature. With the right investment and intent, it could serve not just Himachal, but the entire lower and mid-Himalayan region.

This is not merely about expanding buildings or facilities—it is about saving lives, ensuring timely treatment, and upholding dignity in healthcare. The demand for PGI-Tanda is the collective voice of lakhs of people who have long felt neglected. It is a people’s movement—transcending party lines and electoral calculations.

The time has come for policymakers, civil society, and elected representatives to unite and push this vision forward. PGI-Tanda is not just a proposal—it is a promise of a healthier, fairer future for Himachal Pradesh.