Shimla: Health Minister Vipin Singh Parmar said the state government is committed to strengthen the health infrastructure in the state.

Health Minister, in a review meeting of Health Department today to assess the implementation on the Chief Minister’s announcements, said the appointment of 179 new medical officers has been approved to facilitate the people of the state. Around 60 of these MOs will be deputed at the health institutions of the remote areas of the state, where no doctors were available.

Parmar said that Medical College Hamirpur would be provided with required staff including faculty and junior residents as per the directions of Medical Council of India (MCI). As many as 53 appointments have been approved by the department to start the academic session at the college this year.

He said that this was the first instance, where the state government had approved as many as 179 posts in a very short period.

While taking the cognizance of the erring drug manufacturers, the minister said stern action would be taken against the defaulters. He said that no one would be allowed to flout the drug rules posing a threat to the public health. Those found guilty would face strict action and their licenses will be immediately suspended.

Principal Secretary Health Prabodh Saxena and Director National Health Mission Pankaj Rai were also present in the meeting to discuss various health issues.