No MRI, super-specialty facilities at Mandi’s Nerchowk medical college
The Nerchowk Medical College and Hospital, a key healthcare provider for Mandi, Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti districts in Himachal Pradesh, is facing criticism due to its limited medical infrastructure and the lack of advanced diagnostic and specialised treatment facilities.
Key concerns
Lack of diagnostic facilities: Patients must travel long distances or pay high fees for private MRI scans, delaying diagnosis and treatment
Absence of super-specialty units: The absence of specialised medical units forces patients to seek expensive private care or go to distant cities
Political response: Balh MLA Inder Singh Gandhi urges the state government to allocate resources to add critical infrastructure
Trying to address gaps
We understand the importance of advanced diagnostic facilities and super-speciality care. We are in discussion with state government to address these gaps and we hope to make improvements in near future. — Dr DK Verma, Principal
Despite being a major healthcare centre in the region, the hospital struggles to meet the growing demands for comprehensive medical services. The absence of critical diagnostic tools, particularly an MRI machine, has heightened public frustration, with patients and healthcare professionals alike calling for immediate improvements.
One of the primary concerns raised by patients is the absence of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine. MRI scans are essential for diagnosing conditions such as brain and spinal cord abnormalities, musculoskeletal disorders, cardiovascular diseases and cancers. Without this facility, patients are compelled to travel long distances to other hospitals or rely on costly private services for MRI scans. For many, this lack of access leads to delays in diagnosis and treatment, which can negatively impact health outcomes.
BR Kaundal, a local social activist, pointed out the hardship faced by patients who have to travel to distant cities for MRI scans, adding financial and logistical burdens on families. “An MRI is no longer a luxury but a necessity in modern healthcare,” said Kaundal. “The hospital serves thousands annually and many need MRI scans for accurate diagnosis. The absence of this facility compromises patient care and slows down treatment.”
In addition to the need for MRI, the hospital lacks super-specialty services essential for handling complex medical cases, including cardiology, neurology, nephrology and oncology. Patients with serious or critical conditions are often advised to seek treatment at private hospitals or in distant cities with better-equipped healthcare institutions. According to Subhash, a local resident, this situation not only adds financial strain but also leads to overcrowding in larger tertiary hospitals.
Further complicating matters, patients reportedly face long waiting times for routine diagnostic procedures like ultrasounds and CT scans, which often results in delayed diagnosis and treatment.
Balh MLA Inder Singh Gandhi expressed frustration over the state government’s apparent inaction in addressing the medical college’s resource gaps, including the lack of MRI and super-specialty units. Gandhi criticised the current state government, led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, for failing to equip the hospital adequately. He called on the government to prioritise the installation of essential diagnostic equipment and establish a super-specialty unit.
“The government must step up and ensure that Nerchowk medical college has the resources it needs,” said Gandhi. “This hospital is a lifeline for many people in the region and should be fully equipped to provide quality healthcare.”
Dr DK Verma, Principal of Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College and Hospital at Nerchowk, acknowledged the pressing need for advanced diagnostic facilities and super-specialty care. Dr Verma confirmed that discussions are ongoing with the state government to address these issues and expressed hope for future improvements.
According to Dr. Verma, staffing levels are mostly sufficient per the National Medical Commission (NMC) standards, with 80 of 84 faculty posts filled, 106 senior residents for 85 sanctioned posts, 270 of 275 nursing positions staffed, and 206 out of 311 support staff roles occupied. Despite relatively robust staffing, the absence of crucial diagnostic and treatment facilities continues to hamper the hospital’s ability to offer comprehensive care.
