To improve healthcare facilities, the Health Department should pay special attention.

Efforts should be made to strengthen the necessary resources in hospitals. It must be ensured that hospitals do not merely become referral centers. Keeping public health services in mind, the Health Department must take ownership and act proactively. These directions were given by Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday during a review meeting of the Health Department held at the Secretariat.

The Chief Minister instructed the Chief Secretary to conduct a separate meeting with the Health Department to focus on improving healthcare services and strengthening public health facilities in hospitals. He also directed officials to provide an update on the status of the Chief Minister’s announcements under the Health Department.

During the meeting, it was informed that to improve healthcare access in remote areas of the state, a system is being developed to connect super-specialists with medical colleges through telemedicine.

In the AYUSH department meeting, the Chief Minister directed that the implementation of his announcement to develop two Spiritual Zones in Uttarakhand be expedited. He emphasized that yoga, wellness, and AYUSH are part of India’s heritage, and speedy efforts should be made to establish quality health and wellness centers in the state. A yearly goal-based plan should be developed to promote wellness centers and wellness tourism. Work should also be done to upgrade old health and wellness centers. Possibilities of developing health and wellness centers should be explored in GMVN, KMVN, and Vibrant Villages as well.

It was informed during the meeting that under the state’s Yoga Policy, a Directorate of Yoga will be established and yoga centers will be registered. New yoga centers will also be encouraged. Following the Investors’ Summit in the state, AYUSH sector projects worth ₹1,100 crore have started grounding. Additionally, 300 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are being upgraded to meet NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals) standards. Certification of 149 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs has already been completed.

Health Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat joined the review meeting virtually. Other attendees included Vice Chairman of Infrastructure Monitoring Council Mr. Vishwas Dabur, Chief Secretary Mr. Anand Bardhan, Principal Secretary Mr. R.K. Sudhanshu, Secretaries Mr. R. Rajesh Kumar, Mr. Deependra Chaudhary, Mr. Sridhar Babu Adanki, Director AYUSH Mr. Vijay Kumar Jogdande, Director General Health Dr. Sunita Tamta, Director of Medical Education Dr. Ashutosh Sayana, and other concerned officials.

— Department of Information and Public Relations.