Shimla:Himachal Pradesh Chief MinisterSukhvinder Singh Sukhuannounced the installation ofa state-of-the-art 3-TeslaMRI machinehas been installed at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla, and testing will begin shortly. Speaking informally with reporters at the State Secretariat, the Chief Minister said yesterday that 3-TeslaMRI machinesare also being installed in four other government medical colleges and at the Super Speciality Hospital in Chamiyana, Shimla. Until now, patients requiring cardiac MRIs had to travel to PGI Chandigarh or AIIMS New Delhi. According to a UNI report, Sukhu said, “With these new machines, people will no longer need to travel outside the state for cardiac MRI tests”. “This will ensure timely diagnosis of heart diseases and make advanced medical testing accessible within Himachal Pradesh.” Also Read:34 health institutions to get CT scan machines by December: Himachal Health Minister The newly installed MRI machine atIGMCreplaces a 20-year-old unit. Similar machines are being procured for medical colleges in Mandi, Hamirpur, Chamba, Tanda (Kangra), and for the Chamiyana Hospital. Unlike conventional MRI scanners, the 3-Tesla machines can perform detailed cardiac imaging and provide precise analysis of soft tissue and heart conditions. The Chief Minister also announced that a full-room digital radiography machine is being purchased for Chamba Medical College, along with digital mammography and color Doppler equipment. Hamirpur Medical College will receive an advanced laparoscopic surgery set with a high-definition camera to improve precision and safety in surgeries. Further, the state government will procure 2.8 million gluco strips for Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs), enabling doorstep blood sugar testing for residents. had earlier reported that Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has directed the state health department to develop an application within a month to facilitate convenient online payments for medical tests at government hospitals, officials said. Also Read:Himachal CM Sukhu announces Rs 300 Crore Cancer Hospital in Hamirpur