Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has issued a directive to constitute a committee under the chairmanship of the Special Secretary (Health) to address the demands and grievances of medical officers in the state.

The committee will comprise the Director of the Health and Family Welfare Department, the Director of Medical Education, and representatives from the Medical Officers Association.

At a meeting held here on Tuesday with the representatives of the Medical Officers Association, the Chief Minister said that this committee would also study the various aspects of doctors’ promotions and recommend guidelines for improving the condition of medical officers.

He said that the state government is considering their genuine demands sympathetically but pointed out that the state’s financial condition is precarious.

“Due to the sincere efforts of the state government, the economy of the state is gradually coming back on track. My government will surely provide the financial benefits of the government employees in due course,” he assured.

He urged doctors to cooperate with the state government and assist in improving the state’s economy.

“We are focusing on strengthening the health infrastructure in the state to provide specialised health services to people at their doorsteps,” he said, adding that the state government is setting up Adarsh Swasthya Sansthans in all the 68 Assembly constituencies in the state, each equipped with six specialist doctors.

The CM assured that the state government is recruiting new medical officers and supporting staff to meet the shortage of doctors and para medical staff in health institutions.

Furthermore, plans are underway to improve working conditions in health institutions and introduce fixed 8-hour shifts for medical personnel, he said.

He said that overseas exposure visits would also be conducted for doctors to familiarise them with the latest techniques and skills in the healthcare sector.

The Chief Minister directed the health department to digitise the data of medical officers to streamline their functioning.