Chamba is a Historic town, a lively, scenery, and picturesque, queen place, situated on the banks of river Ravi, about 120 Kms from Pathankot. It is having a moderate climate with rich cultural heritage & history. Distt. Hospital (Shyam Singh) was established way back in 1890.
To meet the shortfall of human resource in health, the government has implemented a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for “establishment of new medical colleges by upgrading district/referral hospitals” preferably in underserved districts of the country with fund sharing between the Central Government and States in the ratio of 90:10 for NE/special category states. Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru Government Medical College Chamba was established in the year 2016 by up-gradation of Regional Hospital, District Chamba with admissions of 100 students in the first batch. Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru Government Medical College was earlier affiliated to Himachal Pradesh University but now it is affiliated to Atal Medical & Research University, Mandi. This college was started with the objectives to increase MBBS seats, ensure availability to economically poor students, to mitigate the shortage of doctors,to utilize the existing infrastructure of the district hospital, additional human resource to meet growing population and broadcasting of medical education in the country by establishing new colleges in underserved area like Chamba H.P.Access to comprehensive quality health care services is important for promoting and maintaining health, preventing and managing the disease, reducing unnecessary disability and premature death and achieving health equity for all local residents.
Government Medical College Chamba is located in the middle of the town Chamba and currently running in a Palace (made by Raja Umedh Singh during 1747-1765, Akhand Chandi Palace is a reflection of the lavishness of art and architecture of that period). The nearest railway station is at Pathankot which is 120 km away from Chamba. The nearest airport is at Gaggal, Kangra which is around 140 km away from Chamba. It is a lush green valley with natural beauty in abundance and situated at the bank of river Ravi. This place is also known as Shiv Bhumi and having a chain of temples. Dalhousie, Khajjiar (Mini Switzerland), Bharmour, Sach Pass, Padri Jot, and Pangi Valley are many important tourist destinations. The second hydro powerhouse of India was commissioned here in 1908. The Bhuri Singh Museum is another attraction along with Chamba Rumalwhich is famous for its world-class embroidery.With the opening of Medical College in the Chamba, the hopes and aspirations of the people of the Chamba were met with, the standards of health services are improving on a daily basis and students benefiting with the advantage of staying home and getting better educational avenues in the state itself.