Quality healthcare must reach regional centres and smaller cities: Chief Secretary - Maverick News30

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Quality healthcare must reach regional centres and smaller cities: Chief Secretary

Quality healthcare must reach regional centres and smaller cities: Chief Secretary

Government and private sector should work together to build a robust healthcare ecosystem

Integration of technology, quality and compassionate care essential for better patient outcomes

Jaipur, September 2026 :  Chief Secretary Shri V. Srinivas said that the future of healthcare in Rajasthan should not be limited to constructing new hospitals. The State must develop a robust and integrated healthcare ecosystem combining accessibility, quality, affordability, modern technology, skilled human resources and institutional trust. He said that the patient and their well-being must remain at the centre of every healthcare policy, institution, technology and investment.

The Chief Secretary was addressing the valedictory session of the Association of Healthcare Providers (India) National Leadership Summit 2026 as the Chief Guest in Jaipur on Saturday. He presented the State’s future healthcare roadmap on the theme, “Building Rajasthan’s Healthcare System for the Next Decade.”

A healthy Rajasthan will strengthen the vision of Viksit Rajasthan

Shri Srinivas said that the Viksit Rajasthan 2047 vision accords special priority to ensuring accessible, affordable and quality healthcare for every citizen. Improvement in maternal and child health, universal immunisation, expansion of medical education and research, strengthening of Ayushman Arogya Centres and the use of modern technology in healthcare are among the State’s major priorities.

He said that primary health centres, community health centres and medical colleges across the State are being continuously strengthened. Efforts are being made to improve maternal and neonatal healthcare through the timely identification of high-risk pregnancies, appropriate counselling and an effective referral system. Special emphasis is also being placed on the timely completion of major healthcare projects, filling vacancies and building the capacity of healthcare professionals.

Advanced healthcare services must reach smaller cities

The Chief Secretary said that advanced healthcare facilities should expand beyond Jaipur and other major cities to regional centres and smaller towns. Hospitals, diagnostic facilities, specialist doctors, paramedical staff, emergency services, referral networks and digital connectivity must be developed in an integrated manner. This would reduce the need for patients to travel long distances for treatment and create skilled employment opportunities at the local level.

He said that the State’s healthcare requirements cannot be met by the government or the private sector working independently. The government provides scale, public financing and policy direction, while the private sector contributes investment, modern technology, specialised services, innovation and managerial capabilities. Both sectors must function as complementary partners in the interest of patients.

Quality must grow along with capacity

Shri Srinivas said that the expansion of healthcare services must be accompanied by quality. Patient safety, infection control, transparent outcomes, clinical accountability and continuous quality improvement should become an integral part of the working culture of every healthcare institution. Healthcare institutions should move beyond minimum compliance and develop a culture of safety, accountability and excellence.

He said that buildings and equipment can be created relatively quickly, but developing skilled doctors, paramedical staff, technicians and competent healthcare administrators requires sustained long-term efforts. The government, hospitals and educational institutions should collaborate on skill development, practical training, faculty development and continuing medical education.

Rajasthan makes significant progress in digital health

The Chief Secretary said that Rajasthan is rapidly advancing in digital healthcare. The State ranks second in the country in the Healthcare Professional Registry, fifth in the Health Facility Registry and fourth in the generation of Ayushman Bharat Health Account identification numbers. Rajasthan has created 8.37 crore unique digital health records.

He said that the next stage of digital health should focus on the meaningful use of data and interoperability among different systems. Electronic health records would facilitate seamless patient services, provide better information to doctors and support the effective implementation of government health programmes. Artificial intelligence can assist in clinical and administrative decision-making, but human oversight, patient safety and accountability must always remain paramount.

The Chief Secretary said that Rajasthan has strong potential to emerge as a leading healthcare and medical tourism destination in North and Western India due to its connectivity, advanced medical services, medical education institutions, hospitality infrastructure and competitive costs. With coordinated efforts, the healthcare sector can become an important driver of investment, employment and skill development in the State.

Former Member of NITI Aayog Dr Vinod K. Paul, Emeritus Chairperson of Mahatma Gandhi University of Medical Sciences and Technology Dr M.L. Swarankar, Director General of the Association of Healthcare Providers (India) Dr Girdhar Gyani, healthcare experts and representatives of various institutions attended the valedictory session.

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