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JAIPUR — Marking the second anniversary of his administration, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma announced a sweeping set of healthcare initiatives on Monday, headlined by the new “Heal in Rajasthan Policy 2025.” The policy aims to position the state as a global hub for medical tourism while simultaneously rolling out grassroots programs to combat anemia, expand diagnostic access, and support persons with disabilities.
Addressing a gathering at the Rajasthan University of Health Sciences (RUHS) in Jaipur, Chief Minister Sharma emphasized his government’s “double-engine” commitment to realizing the vision of a “Healthy Rajasthan.” The announcements come at a critical time as the state seeks to bridge the gap between advanced urban medical infrastructure and last-mile rural connectivity.
Positioning Rajasthan as a Global Medical Hub
The centerpiece of the announcement, the Heal in Rajasthan Policy 2025, is designed to attract domestic and international patients by integrating modern medical facilities with the state’s heritage of traditional wellness.
“This policy will establish Rajasthan as a reliable, accessible, and affordable destination for Medical Value Travel (MVT),” Sharma stated. Key components of the policy include:
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Infrastructure Development: establishment of a “Medicity” and the Marwar Medical University to centralize advanced care.
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Single-Window Clearance: creation of a dedicated MVT Cell and digital portal to streamline visas and appointments for international patients.
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Integrated Care: promotion of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) alongside allopathic treatments to offer holistic wellness packages.
To bolster this infrastructure, the Chief Minister inaugurated a new Critical Care Block at RUHS, constructed at a cost of ₹20 crore. The facility is equipped with modular operating theaters, advanced ventilator systems, and specialized dialysis units.
Bridging the Rural Gap: The Hub and Spoke Model
While medical tourism targets global visitors, the state’s new Hub and Spoke Model for diagnostics aims to serve the rural population. Under the National Health Mission, the government has identified 42 “Mother Labs,” 137 “Hub Labs,” and over 1,333 “Spokes” across the state.
“This model ensures that a patient in a remote village can give a blood sample at a local center, and it will be tested at a specialized hub with the report delivered digitally,” explained a senior official from the Medical and Health Department. The initiative makes over 100 specialized tests—including biopsy, cancer markers, and thyroid profiles—available free of cost to the public.
Combating Anemia and Maternal Health Challenges
A significant portion of the new initiatives targets maternal and child health, specifically addressing the state’s high prevalence of anemia. According to the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5), approximately 52.2% of pregnant women in Rajasthan are anemic, a condition that significantly increases the risk of maternal mortality and low birth weight.
To counter this, the government launched a statewide Ferric Carboxymaltose (FCM) Injection Campaign. Unlike traditional oral iron supplements which can have low compliance due to side effects, FCM allows for rapid correction of iron deficiency in pregnant women.
Expert Perspectives and Challenges
Public health experts have welcomed the focus on diagnostics and anemia but caution that infrastructure alone is not the solution.
“The shift towards a ‘Hub and Spoke’ model is efficient on paper, but its success depends entirely on logistics,” notes Dr. S.K. Mathur, a public health policy analyst based in Jaipur. “If the sample transport network fails, the diagnosis is delayed. Furthermore, while medical tourism brings revenue, we must ensure it does not divert resources from the public healthcare system that serves the poor.”
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has also previously flagged the need for robust staffing. While the government announced that 35,000 posts have been filled in the last two years with another 15,000 underway, rural retention of doctors remains a persistent challenge.
Social Welfare and School Health
Broadening the scope of care, the Chief Minister also rolled out initiatives for students and persons with disabilities (Divyangs):
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Vision Care: A new school health program will provide free eye examinations and spectacles to students in government schools.
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Genetic Screening: A targeted screening campaign for sickle cell disease and thalassemia was launched for tribal districts, where these genetic blood disorders are more prevalent.
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Disability Support: The government pledged to provide artificial limbs and assistive devices worth up to ₹20,000 to 1.5 lakh persons with disabilities.
Insurance Expansion
The state’s flagship health insurance scheme, the Mukhyamantri Ayushman Arogya Yojana, has also been expanded. The government added 132 new treatment packages, further protecting over 35 lakh beneficiaries from catastrophic health expenditures. This move aligns with the state’s effort to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare costs, which remain a major cause of poverty in India.
Conclusion
The “Heal in Rajasthan” initiative represents a dual-track strategy: commercializing high-end medical capabilities for tourism while subsidizing essential diagnostics and preventive care for residents. As the state moves towards its “Viksit Rajasthan 2047” goal, the effectiveness of these programs will likely be measured not just by the number of medical tourists, but by the improvement in basic health indicators like anemia rates and maternal mortality.
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making any health-related decisions or changes to your treatment plan. The information presented here is based on current research and expert opinions, which may evolve as new evidence emerges.
References:
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Primary Source: Rajasthan Government Press Release & Launch Ceremony at RUHS, Jaipur (Dec 15, 2025).
