CM Sukhu launches 3-Tesla MRI at Shimla's AIMSS Chamiyana
Synopsis
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurated a Rs 23-crore 3-Tesla MRI at AIMSS Chamiyana on 11 July 2026, making it the state's second government hospital with the facility. He also announced 800 nursing recruitments, 200 associate professor appointments by December, an e-bus service, and the AIMSS mobile app.
Key Takeaways
AIMSS Chamiyana becomes only the second government hospital in Himachal Pradesh after IGMC Shimla to have a 3-Tesla MRI facility.
The machine was installed at a cost of approximately Rs 23 crore and offers higher-resolution imaging and faster scan times.
Recruitment for 800 nursing posts is ongoing; 200 Associate Professors are to be appointed by December 2026 .
Construction of the Chamiyana Link Road has begun with funds already released, and an e-bus service to the hospital will be launched.
The AIMSS Mobile Application was also launched, enabling patients to access hospital services and information digitally.
Health Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil , Mayor Surendra Chauhan , and other senior officials attended the inauguration.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday, 11 July 2026, inaugurated a state-of-the-art 3-Tesla MRI facility at the Atal Institute of Medical Super Specialties (AIMSS), Chamiyana, on the outskirts of Shimla, marking a significant upgrade in public healthcare infrastructure for the hill state.
Posting on X, CM Sukhu announced: 'आज शिमला के सुपर स्पेशियलिटी अस्पताल, चमियाणा में अत्याधुनिक 3-टेस्ला MRI सुविधा का शुभारंभ किया' ('Today, a state-of-the-art 3-Tesla MRI facility was inaugurated at the Super Speciality Hospital, Chamiyana, Shimla'). With this, AIMSS becomes only the second government health institution in Himachal Pradesh — after Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla — to offer this advanced imaging technology.
Context
The 3-Tesla MRI machine, established at a cost of approximately Rs 23 crore, promises patients higher-quality imaging, faster scan times, and more precise diagnoses. The 3-Tesla standard represents a significant step up from the more common 1.5-Tesla machines widely used in government hospitals, enabling sharper resolution for neurological, orthopaedic, and oncological assessments.
AIMSS Chamiyana has been positioned as a growing super-specialty hub complementing the older, more congested IGMC in central Shimla. Adding advanced diagnostic capacity here is intended to reduce patient wait times and ease the referral burden on IGMC.
Policy Backdrop
The Sukhu government had committed in its 2023-24 budget to establishing advanced diagnostic facilities at second-tier super-specialty hospitals beyond IGMC, as part of a broader push to reduce out-of-state patient referrals — a long-standing challenge for Himachal Pradesh given the limited capacity of its public health system.
Successive state governments have incrementally expanded high-end imaging capacity from Shimla toward other districts. The current Indian National Congress administration is continuing this trajectory, pairing the MRI launch with a wider set of institutional upgrades announced on the same day.
Stakeholders and Impact
CM Sukhu also reviewed the functioning of AIMSS with its medical staff and announced several decisions to strengthen services. Construction of the Chamiyana Link Road has commenced with funds already allocated, and an e-bus service will be introduced to improve connectivity to the hospital — a critical need given the institution's location away from Shimla's main transport arteries.
The Chief Minister further announced an increase in Senior Resident posts, confirmed that recruitment for 800 nursing positions is currently under way, and stated that 200 Associate Professors will be appointed by December. Alongside the MRI launch, CM Sukhu also inaugurated the AIMSS Mobile Application, which will allow patients to access information about the hospital and its various services digitally.
Present at the event were Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil, MLA Harish Janartha, Shimla Municipal Corporation Mayor Surendra Chauhan, Director of Health Services Dr. Gopal Beri, and Principal Dr. Brij Sharma, among other dignitaries.
What's Next
The immediate milestones to watch include the completion of the Chamiyana Link Road, the launch of the e-bus service, and the appointment of 200 Associate Professors by December 2026. The uptake statistics from the new AIMSS mobile app will also serve as an early indicator of how effectively the hospital is reaching patients digitally.
If the recruitment drives and infrastructure upgrades proceed on schedule, AIMSS Chamiyana could meaningfully reduce the diagnostic and specialist care burden on IGMC, offering residents of Shimla and surrounding areas a credible second public option for advanced medical care.
Point of View
A goal that predates the current administration but has gained renewed momentum since the 2023-24 budget commitment. Pairing the equipment launch with recruitment announcements — 800 nursing posts and 200 associate professors — signals an attempt to address both hardware and human-resource gaps simultaneously, which has historically been the weak link in Himachal's public health upgrades. The addition of an e-bus service and a dedicated mobile app suggests the government is aware that physical infrastructure alone is insufficient if patients cannot reach or navigate the facility. Whether these parallel commitments translate into tangible outcomes before the next electoral cycle will determine the political dividend the Congress administration can claim from this investment.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 3-Tesla MRI launched at AIMSS Chamiyana?
A 3-Tesla MRI is a high-field magnetic resonance imaging machine that provides sharper, more detailed scans than the standard 1.5-Tesla models. The unit installed at AIMSS Chamiyana, Shimla cost approximately Rs 23 crore and was inaugurated by CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on 11 July 2026 .
Which is the first government hospital in Himachal Pradesh to have a 3-Tesla MRI?
Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla was the first government hospital in Himachal Pradesh to have a 3-Tesla MRI. AIMSS Chamiyana is now the second.
What other announcements did CM Sukhu make at AIMSS Chamiyana?
CM Sukhu announced the start of the Chamiyana Link Road construction, an upcoming e-bus service to the hospital, an increase in Senior Resident posts, recruitment for 800 nursing positions , appointment of 200 Associate Professors by December 2026 , and the launch of the AIMSS Mobile Application .
What is the AIMSS mobile app?
The AIMSS Mobile Application , launched by CM Sukhu on 11 July 2026 , allows patients to access information about the Atal Institute of Medical Super Specialties, Chamiyana and its various services from their smartphones.
Why is the Chamiyana Link Road important for AIMSS?
AIMSS Chamiyana is located on the outskirts of Shimla , away from the city's main transport corridors. The Chamiyana Link Road , for which funds have already been released, along with a planned e-bus service , will make the hospital more accessible to patients from the city and surrounding areas.
