The Government of Rajasthan has taken some landmark initiatives in the healthcare sector such as Mukhyamantri Nishulk Dava Yojna, Mukhyamantri Nishulk Jaanch Yojna, Mukhya Mantri Chiranjeevi Swasthya Beema Yojana, Mukhyamantri Nishulk Nirogi Rajasthan Yojna, among others. Rajasthan is also the first state to announce and enact the Right to Health. The Government has also announced certification of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for purchasing of medical equipment from local industries of Rajasthan to promote MSMEs. These initiatives have made Rajasthan a model state for others to emulate. This was stated by Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Medical and Health, Government of Rajasthan, Shubhra Singh. She was delivering the Special Address at the inaugural session of the 3rd edition of the Rajasthan Healthcare Conclave in Jaipur on 21st July. The Conclave was organised by Confederation of Indian Industry, Rajasthan along with Department of Medical & Health, Government of Rajasthan. It was focused on ‘Creating Future Ready Healthcare Ecosystem & Promoting Medical Tourism’.

Throwing light on the Chiranjeevi Swasthya Beema Yojana, Singh said that while 1.4 crore families have been linked to the Chiranjeevi Yojana, the scope is being further expanded to include the economically weakened sections and 10 lakh more families will soon be included in its ambit. The Chiranjeevi Swasthya Beema Yojana has almost 1800 benefit packages and special packages of organ transplant etc. have also been included. Furthermore, the beneficiaries can also travel outside the state for treatment if required, informed the ACS.

Vice Chancellor, Rajasthan University of Health Sciences (RUHS), Dr. Sudhir Bhandari gave an overview of the healthcare system in the country.  He pointed out that in India the doctor patient ratio is 0.9 doctors per 1000 population, while WHO recommends 5 doctors per 1000 population. The country also has the highest percentage of doctor brain drain as the doctors move to other countries to work. Dr. Bhandari underlined challenges such as insufficiency of hospital beds, less healthcare centers, insufficient blood banks etc. and said there is a need to further improve the infrastructure and tertiary healthcare in India.

Earlier in his Welcome Remarks, Chairman of CII Rajasthan & Managing Director, Manu Yantralaya Pvt Ltd, Mr. Abhinav Banthia said that medical tourism presents many opportunities for business and startups in India. Rajasthan has also emerged as a popular destination for medical tourism. The state is also well known for its traditional ayurvedic and wellness centers. The conclave has been designed to discuss relevant topics such as Creating Healthcare Infrastructure Future Ready, Telemedicine & Tele ICU, Medical Tourism, Preparation for Rare Diseases, Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Package, Startups in Healthcare, Creating Conducive Healthcare Environment for All, Medical Education, etc.

Vice Chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences & Former President – PG Board, National Medical Commission, Dr MK Ramesh said that in India life expectancy has greatly improved over the years. It is a matter of pride that diseases like polio, small pox have been eradicated. There are problems like inequitable distribution of healthcare, record maintenance etc. which need to be addressed. He suggested the use of technology in record maintenance.

Convener – Panel on Healthcare 2023-24 & Chairman, NIMS University, Dr Balvir S Tomar said that innovations have transformed healthcare. Tele medicine, Use of Artifical Intelligence, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Robotics, 3D printing etc. has amped up the healthcare in India. As a result of this, the country attracts patients from across the globe. In fact, Rajasthan is also a popular destination for medicine and wellness and the Government is keen to promote medical tourism in the state.

Chairman, CII Regional Committee on Healthcare & Managing Director, Paras Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., Dr. Dharminder Nagar said that the healthcare infrastructure in India in terms of hospitals, labs, beds etc. is already there. The need of the hour is digitalization, digitization and innovation. If technology and healthcare startups are leveraged then the need for resources like beds, doctors, etc. can be reduced.

Co Chairman, CII Healthcare Council and Managing Director & CEO, Manipal Health Enterprises Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Dilip Jose said that there is a need to ensure that the smaller hospitals and nursing homes are also well equipped. This will enable them to shoulder the responsibility of patients when there is a situation of scarcity of beds in the country.  

Also present during the conclave was Senior Director & Head – Rajasthan CII, Mr. Nitin Gupta. Later there were two plenary sessions on ‘Innovations Shaping the Future of Healthcare in India’ and ‘Role of New Policy Interventions in delivering Quality Healthcare’.