Major relief for Lahaul-Spiti residents as Keylong, Kaza hospitals get specialists

In a major boost to healthcare services in Lahaul and Spiti, an eye specialist and a radiologist have joined duty at the District Hospital, Keylong, while a surgeon has taken charge at the Civil Hospital in Kaza. Locals thanked the state government for addressing their long-standing demand for specialist doctors in the local hospitals.

As the posts were lying vacant, patients were forced to travel to Shimla or Manali to seek treatment. The region’s challenging geography and harsh climatic conditions would add to the residents’ woes.

The situation was especially troublesome for people living in remote villages, where travelling becomes almost impossible in the winters due to snow-bound roads and unpredictable weather. The posting of these doctors, therefore, marks a vital step towards ensuring timely medical care in the district.

Lahaul and Spiti MLA Anuradha Rana thanked Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Health Minister Dhani Ram Shandil for “much-needed intervention” to strengthen healthcare facilities in the region. She said the latest development reflected the government’s commitment to improving public health infrastructure in remote tribal belts. She added that filling these posts would benefit both emergency and routine medical services.

The MLA highlighted that the availability of specialist doctors at the Keylong hospital would boost diagnostic facilities for a large number of people as it covers a vast population scattered across high-altitude villages. At the same time, the surgeon posted in Kaza would support the subdivision’s healthcare system.

The residents have also requested the government to ensure regular availability of medical staff and fill remaining vacancies at the earliest.