Parmar for restoration of flagship health schemes

Former Health Minister and MLA from Sulaha constituency, Vipin Singh Parmar, urged Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu to restore the HIM CARE and SAHARA health welfare schemes, which were halted six months ago. These flagship initiatives provided cashless treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh per family for critical illnesses like cancer and kidney ailments. Parmar criticised the delay in restoring these schemes, emphasising the hardships faced by poor patients.

Parmar reminded that the Chief Minister in the Assembly last year assured that the schemes were not scrapped but paused due to alleged irregularities. He pointed out that despite forming a cabinet sub-committee to address these issues, no report has been submitted, leaving patients in distress. Highlighting a recent incident where a cancer patient under the HIM CARE scheme died due to delayed medication at Shimla, Parmar called it a grave failure of the state’s healthcare system.

While acknowledging possible misuse of the schemes by private hospitals, Parmar stressed the need for reforms to plug loopholes rather than discontinuing the schemes. He urged the government to implement transparent reimbursement mechanisms to support deserving patients effectively.

Parmar also raised concerns about the deteriorating state of Tanda Medical College, the second-largest medical institute in Himachal Pradesh after IGMC Shimla. He highlighted a severe shortage of specialists and super-specialists in various departments, which has impacted healthcare, teaching, and research. Over the past two years, numerous super-specialists were relieved without replacements, worsening the situation.

He also pointed out infrastructural neglect, citing elevators at the college being out of order for over a year due to lack of funds. Parmar called for immediate action to address these issues, emphasizing the importance of Tanda Medical College in serving the medical needs of one-third of the state’s population.

He urged the Chief Minister to prioritise strengthening the institution, filling vacant posts, and ensuring proper resources to restore confidence in the state’s healthcare system.