Himachal's Health Commission has laid down 10 years of road map for improving health care services in the state, focusing on rationalisation of institutions, separate specialist case of doctors and connecting thezonal hospitals with medical colleges.
In itsfirstreport submitted to Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, the commission talked of six high principles that underpins the mission of transforming the health sector in the state.
The commission is headed by Professor MK Bhan, former Secretary of Biotechnology department under Central government.
The 6 principles include - universal coverageof a reasonable package of primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare without financial hardship or point of care payments irrespective of who provides care, clinical excellenceat all levels of care and clear focus on the emerging chronic diseases(in particular, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, accidents) in addition to family health and communicable diseases.
Bhan said that the "Commission had done a thorough exercise over the last one year by taking into account different factors on the ground and prepared a comprehensive health agenda as to how Himachal would look like in the next ten years."
Vinod Paul, Co-chairperson of the Commission and Head ofDepartment of Pediatrics, AIIMS said, "The state has good institutions and professionals and there is a political commitment for change but the work has to begin immediately as not a single district hospital, Community Health Centre or Primary Health Centre so far matches the Indian Public Health norms (IPHS) at present.
