PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
Governor lieutenant general ( retd) Gurmit Singh has said that incorporation of innovation and technology into healthcare is essential for strengthening the State’s primary and preventive healthcare services. He was addressing the second Himalayan Healthcare Innovation Summit-2026 organised under joint aegis of the SETU commission, the State Health department and Velox here on Thursday. The summit was attended by representatives from Himalayan States across the country.
Emphasizing on the need to strengthen primary healthcare services in rural and remote areas, the governor said that without strengthening these services, the overall healthcare system cannot be made effective.
He said that primary health centres should be integrated with technologies like artificial intelligence, modern diagnostic equipment and telemedicine. Singh said the pandemic of Covid-19 has highlighted the importance of effectively utilizing technology in the health sector. AI, telemedicine and mobile communication tools can make health services more accessible, quick and effective, he said.
The governor said that only trained human resources can make health services effective at the grassroots level. He added that given the vulnerability of mountainous regions to accidents, trauma care and rapid response systems must be strengthened to significantly reduce mortality rates.
Describing women’s health as a priority, he said that the women power of Uttarakhand is the axis of the State, hence it is necessary to take effective steps for their health. He also stressed on strengthening maternal and child health and expanding facilities for the care of new-born babies.
The vice chairman of SETU commission Rajshekhar Joshi, director general of State health services Dr Sunita Tamta attended the summit.
