Shimla:Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced that all state medical colleges will be upgraded within a year with advanced facilities, staff, and infrastructure. Robotic surgery will be expanded, automated labs worth Rs 25 crore each will be set up in Chamiyana, Hamirpur, and Chamba, and a Critical Care Block in Chamba will be completed by October. Rs 100 crore will be allocated for an Academic Block, and hostels for doctors and staff will be built. New nursing colleges will start in Nahan, Hamirpur, Kullu, and Chamba next session. The government will address staff shortages, and ensure international doctor-patient ratios so people can access modern healthcare within the state. According to UNI report, Chief Minister ThakurSukhvinder Singh Sukhuannounced that the State Government will bring significant improvements in all medical colleges of Himachal Pradesh within one year. He said this while chairing a review meeting of the Medical Education Department on Saturday. He said this initiative will enable people to access advanced healthcare facilities within the state eliminating the need to travel outside for treatment. Also Read:Himachal to modernize Medical Colleges with Rs 1,730 crore investment The Chief Minister said the government is streamlining the functioning of medical colleges. Robotic surgery has already been introduced at Chamiyana Super-Specialty Hospital and Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda, and will be extended to other medical colleges across the State in a phased manner, reports UNI Reviewing staff strength, equipment, and infrastructure, he said modern medical machinery is being installed and assured that there is no shortage of funds for strengthening health services. He added that the government is making focused efforts to address the shortage of doctors, paramedical staff, and technical staff. Stressing the importance of hygiene, he directed that strict cleanliness be maintained in all medical colleges and accountability fixed in cases of negligence. Sukhu announced that automated laboratories will be set up at Chamiyana, Hamirpur, and Chamba medical colleges at a cost of Rs. 25 crore each. He directed that the Critical Care Block atChamba Medical Collegebe completed by October this year and informed that Rs. 100 crore will be provided for the construction of an Academic Block. Hostels for senior resident doctors and staff will also be built in Chamba. He further said that nursing colleges will become functional from the next academic session at Nahan, Hamirpur, Kullu, and Chamba to address the shortage of nursing staff. He emphasized that all health institutions must ensure doctor-patient and nurse-patient ratios as per international standards, so that people receive the best possible healthcare services. The Chief Minister also sought OPD and IPD data from all medical colleges, adds UNI Also Read:Himachal Pradesh upgrades healthcare infrastructure at 6 Medical College Hospitals