Keeping in view the increasing elderly population and their specialised healthcare requirements, the state government has approved establishment of dedicated Department of Geriatric Medicine at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College (Dr. RPGMC), Tanda, District Kangra and Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College (SLBSGMC), Nerchowk, Mandi along-with creation and filling up of requisite posts of Assistant Professors and Senior Residents. The initiative aims to strengthen specialised healthcare facilities for senior citizens and ensure comprehensive medical care for age-related diseases and health complications.
Geriatric medicine is a specialised branch of medical science concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases among elderly people, besides addressing health problems associated with the ageing process. This department will focus on maintaining the physical and mental well-being of senior citizens through specialised medical services, early diagnosis, appropriate treatment and prevention of age-related disabilities and diseases.
Unlike conventional medical specialities that primarily focus on individual organs or organ systems, geriatric medicine adopts a comprehensive and holistic approach towards patient care. It takes into consideration the overall health, functional abilities, psychological well-being and social needs of elderly patients. The speciality also distinguishes between diseases and the normal effects of ageing, with the objective of improving the quality of life and promoting healthy ageing. The department at IGMC Shimla and Dr. RPGMC Tanda will facilitate specialised diagnosis and treatment for older adults suffering from multiple and age-related health conditions.
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the state government was committed to strengthening the healthcare infrastructure and ensuring accessible, quality and specialised medical services for every section of society, particularly senior citizens. He said that the elderly population deserved special attention and comprehensive healthcare facilities to address the medical and psychological challenges associated with ageing. The Chief Minister said that establishing dedicated Department of Geriatric Medicine in these medical colleges would provide specialised treatment to elderly patients and enable them to lead healthier and more dignified lives.
The Chief Minister further said that the state government was according priority to strengthening medical education institutions and expanding specialised healthcare services in Himachal. He said that the department at IGMC Shimla, Dr. RPGMC Tanda and medical college Nerchowk would create a dedicated institutional framework for geriatric healthcare, besides providing opportunities for specialised medical training and development of expertise in this field. He added that the initiative would be an important step towards ensuring comprehensive, compassionate and patient-centric healthcare for the senior citizens of the state.
