Chandigarh, June 21 (IANS) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Sunday said that the government has undertaken extensive steps to modernise healthcare infrastructure, ensuring that government hospitals are equipped with advanced facilities and services on a par with private hospitals.

He said significant improvements in medical infrastructure, diagnostic capabilities and patient care services are being made to provide quality healthcare to every citizen.

The Chief Minister said the government is making dedicated efforts to upgrade civic healthcare infrastructure on a large scale so that quality healthcare services are available to every citizen across government hospitals.

He emphasised that making Haryana’s public healthcare system more efficient, accessible, and patient-centric remained the government’s highest priority, with continuous initiatives being undertaken to strengthen healthcare facilities and improve service delivery throughout the state.

The Chief Minister said this while chairing a review meeting on the state’s healthcare infrastructure, modernisation of government hospitals and construction of medical colleges at the Civil Secretariat here.

Health Minister Arti Singh Rao, Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Sumita Misra, Additional Chief Secretary A.K. Singh, National Health Mission Director R.S. Dhillon and other senior officers were also present at the meeting.

Reviewing the rejuvenation and renovation works being undertaken in government hospitals across the state, the Chief Minister said civil hospitals in all districts should be upgraded in such a manner that they become even more convenient and citizen-friendly than private hospitals.

He also reviewed the ongoing renovation works in district hospitals of Ambala, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Faridabad, Hisar, Kaithal, Mahendragarh, Palwal, Panchkula, Rewari, Sonipat and Nuh, and issued necessary directions to officers.

The Chief Minister said the increasing number of facilities in government hospitals has led to a significant rise in the number of Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries opting for treatment in these institutions.

In 2024-25, the government paid claims of Rs 26 crore for the treatment of 8.83 per cent beneficiaries under the scheme.

In 2025-26, however, 32 per cent of beneficiaries received treatment in government hospitals for which the government paid claims of Rs 126 crore.

He said considerable work still remains to be done in this direction. When modern equipment and healthcare facilities are available in government hospitals, a larger number of people should benefit from them. He directed officers to encourage more Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries to avail treatment at government hospitals.

CM Saini directed officers to increase the financial powers of Civil Surgeons from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10 lakh, so that development and maintenance works are not delayed while awaiting approvals.

–IANS

vg/uk