The political debate surrounding healthcare facilities in Rajasthan has intensified again. Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, speaking at a Doctors' Day event in Jaipur, criticized the previous Congress government led by former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, stating that the previous government never prioritized the health sector. He claimed that the Gehlot government did not allocate more than 6 percent of its budget to health services, whereas the BJP government allocated 8.26 percent, or 27,660 crore rupees, in its very first budget.
CM Sharma stated that the state government is moving forward with the resolve to provide quality health facilities from villages to towns. He said that the state is rapidly progressing towards realizing the dream of "Niramay Rajasthan" (Healthy Rajasthan), and today, Rajasthan's health services are becoming a model for the entire country.
Chief Minister's Ayushman Arogya Yojana Provides Relief
CM Bhajanlal Sharma, mentioning the shortcomings of the Chiranjeevi Yojana, explained that the state government has revamped it and launched the Chief Minister's Ayushman Arogya Yojana. He said that this scheme is now more inclusive and empowered than before. It includes treatment from Ayush methods to allopathy, from common diseases to transplants and robotic surgery.
According to the Chief Minister, more than 2,300 medical packages have been added to the scheme, and around 8,000 patients are receiving free treatment daily. He stated that a special fund of 3,500 crore rupees has also been created to strengthen the scheme, so that more people can benefit. The CM called it a revolutionary initiative for the common people.
Medical Resources Increased
The Chief Minister also shared the steps taken by the government to strengthen the health infrastructure. He said that in the past one and a half years, 19 new sub-health centers and 10 new primary health centers have been opened in the state. In addition, 49 sub-health centers have been upgraded to PHCs, and 43 PHCs to CHCs.
The CM also said that the government has established 47 sub-district hospitals, 12 district hospitals, 8 satellite hospitals, and 6 trauma centers. In order to increase human resources in health services, recruitment has been done for more than 24,000 posts, and the process of recruitment for more than 26,000 posts is ongoing. Also, the academic session has begun in 5 new medical colleges, which is providing more opportunities to the youth in the field of medical education.
Safety and Respect for Doctors Also a Priority
The state's Minister of Medical and Health, Gajendra Singh Khimsar, present at the event, said that the state government is fully serious about the safety of doctors. He said that policy decisions are being taken to provide doctors with a safe, respectable, and supportive environment. The minister said that the government is constantly taking decisions for the welfare of doctors and health workers.
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma also honored several doctors who have done excellent work in the medical field by giving them commendation certificates. He said that doctors are the backbone of society and their service should be respected. The state government is committed to supporting them at every level.
Attempting to Achieve Political Balance Through Health
Political analysts consider the Chief Minister's speech and the figures presented as part of a political strategy. In Rajasthan, heading towards 2028, the BJP now appears to be adopting an aggressive agenda on health and public welfare. By cornering the Gehlot government with the help of statistics, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has certainly indicated that the track record of development is going to be a major issue in the upcoming elections.
