Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Government today, on the last day of monsoon session of the assembly, passed the Himachal Pradesh University of Health Sciences Bill 2017.
The Bill aimed to provide single platform for health education institutions, improving and standardizing health education institutions in the process of teaching and learning, bringing uniformity in the field of health education and providing latest health care facilities and health education.
The ‘Himachal Pradesh University of Health Sciences’ shall be established at Shri Lal Bahadur Shashi Government Medical College, Mandi at Ner Chock. The health minister said that existing infrastructure at Medical College is sufficient to house the University.
The bill passed in the assembly read “The mission of the University shall be to create an intellectual academic and physical environment which shall be conducive to free flow of ideas and exchange of information between various faculties of the University, between this University and other universities of Health Sciences in the country and abroad, there by opening a window to the health professionals, health planners, health managers, bio-medical and social scientists and educator in health sciences of the county.”
The state government, with this bill, aiming to establish uniformity in standards of education in all faculties of Health Sciences including the Modern System of Medicine, Dental Medicine and surgery, Indian Systems of Medicine, Homeopathy and various paramedical and para dental disciplines such as Nursing Medical laboratory technology, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy and Speech therapy, with a view to enhance the quality of such education and consistently aiming to modernize, improve and achieve the highest standards of academic excellence at all levels.
The University shall be empowered to formulate and implement syllabi and curricula for academic courses of the University. All colleges and other educational institutions of health sciences in the State previously admitted to the privileges of or affiliated to any other “University, or council of affiliating body shall be deemed to be admitted to the privileges, or affiliated to the University from the date of commencement of this Act.
Opposition BJP supported the bill. Leader of opposition Prem Kumar Dhumal called the bill historic and hoped it will help in imparting improved medical education in the state. Supporting the bill Suresh Bhardwaj suggested to make IGMC Shimla a Premier Institute Autonomous PGI to give improved facilities to the people of the region. Health Minister Kaul Singh Thakur welcomed opposition for supporting the bill. He said that Bill will help improving the standard of medical education in the state and will eventually help medical standard in the state as well.
