Looking for alternative to expand the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), the Himachal Pradesh government will take up the issue of Walker Hospital with Defence ministry for providing the campus to India Gandhi Medical College Shimla (IGMC) for extending premises.

The old Walker hospital (Military hospital) had been burnt down almost two decades ago and a new structure was still under construction by the Army. Talking to media persons on the sidelines of the Interventional Radiology Outreach Programme here, Thakur said there was the need for bringing more improvement and further strengthen the IGMC.

Also in view of the workload at IGMC need was being felt for its expansion, he added.

“We will take up the desire of the state government for providing of the Military Hospital, for want of additional infrastructure and space to expand the IGMC in the interest of the public,” he said.

Chief Minister earlier presided over the inauguration of the Radiology Outreach Programme at IGMC that witnessed participation of around 200 doctors from the northern region that include PGIMER.

On the request of the Radiology Department, the CM agreed to provide Rs 1.5 crore that the department was running short of to purchase the Digi Substraction Angiography machine that costs around Rs 9 crore.

CM underlined the need for latest technology diagnostic machines for detection and treatment of the patients and said that his government was committed to provide the same.

Concerned over the demand of manpower, Thakur said that the state government has filled 262 posts of MBBS doctors and 200 posts of doctors will be filled through the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission so to meet the shortage of doctors in the health institutions particularly in the rural areas.

While congratulating the doctors for organising the conference he expressed hope that the deliberations held would go a long way in providing best services to the people.

Later, while inspecting the progress of the under construction of new OPD building at the cost of Rs 56.20 crore, the CM directed the concerned officers to complete the work within stipulated time so that better services could be provided to the people of the state.