Himachal Pradesh Forms Expert Panel to Build Centres of Excellence in State Medical Colleges

The Himachal Pradesh administration quietly rolled out a new plan last week – a seven‑member panel tasked with spotting and recommending specialised Centres of Excellence in the state’s medical colleges. The idea is simple, yet ambitious: lift the quality of care for rare, complex diseases by building dedicated, high‑tech hubs inside existing institutions.

At the helm of this group is Dr D.K. Verma, the Vice‑Chancellor of Atal Medical Research University in Mandi. Alongside him sit a mix of senior doctors and administrators – Dr Gopal Beri, Director of Medical Education and Research, Shimla; Dr Milap Sharma, principal of Dr RPGMC Tanda; Dr Brij Sharma, principal of AIIMS Chamiana; Prof. Balbir Verma, General Medicine at IGMC Shimla; Prof. Puneet Mahajan, General Surgery at IGMC Shimla; and the Additional/Joint Director of SLBSGMC Nerchowk, who will act as Member Secretary.

According to the order issued by the Department of Medical Education and Research on September 16, the panel has a tight deadline – just two weeks – to churn out a detailed proposal. That document will spell out which two to four departments at each institution could be upgraded, outline the infrastructure and equipment needed, and, crucially, lay out the financial ramifications.

What’s the endgame? The proposed Centres of Excellence will focus on advanced, multidisciplinary treatment for conditions that are too rare or too complicated for routine care. Think of it as a way to bring cutting‑edge technology and specialist expertise closer to patients in the hills, instead of forcing them to travel to larger metros.

The scope covers all state‑run hospitals, from the newly inaugurated AIIMS Chamiana to the older regional medical colleges. By assessing the existing infrastructure, clinical manpower, and tech gaps, the committee hopes to draft a realistic, step‑by‑step roadmap that can be financed and implemented without over‑stretching the budget.

If all goes as planned, Himachal Pradesh could see a noticeable boost in tertiary healthcare capacity, reducing the out‑of‑state patient exodus that’s long been a headache for families here. The recommendations, once submitted, are expected to guide the state in upgrading select departments with the right mix of facilities, equipment and skilled staff, all tailored to local health needs.