Rajasthan to Replicate Successful Healthcare Models from Southern States and AIIMS
In a significant move to bolster its public health infrastructure, the Rajasthan state health department has announced plans to adopt and replicate proven healthcare models from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). This initiative aims to strengthen medical services across the state, addressing gaps in specialized care and improving overall health outcomes.
Kerala's Hridyam Programme for Congenital Heart Disease
The flagship adoption involves Kerala's Hridyam programme, a population-level initiative launched in 2017 to screen and manage congenital heart disease. Rajasthan will expand this model to 73 hospitals statewide, including medical college hospitals, district facilities, and sub-district centers. The programme is supported by a web-based application that functions as a comprehensive registry.
How it works: Any physician can enter a suspected congenital heart disease case into the system. A paediatric cardiologist then reviews the record within 24 hours, categorizing it based on urgency. If details are insufficient, the cardiologist can request the District Early Intervention Centre to arrange further tests. Since its launch, registrations under Hridyam have increased steadily, demonstrating its effectiveness in early detection and intervention.
Telangana's Tele-Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) Model
To enhance newborn care, Rajasthan will implement Telangana's Hyderabad tele-Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) model. This system operates on a hub-and-spoke framework, where specialists at a central hub provide real-time guidance to district SNCUs through tele-mentoring and tele-consultation. In Telangana, the Centre of Excellence at Niloufer Hospital in Hyderabad served as the hub, supporting peripheral SNCUs and improving neonatal survival rates.
Tamil Nadu's Maternal and Emergency Care Initiatives
From Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan will introduce maternal health practices focused on high-risk pregnancy tracking, doctor-led antenatal check-ups, deliveries at first referral units, and measures to reduce anaemia. Tamil Nadu's Emergency Obstetric Care Model, built on a robust referral system, ensures timely access to critical care for pregnant women.
Additionally, Rajasthan will replicate Tamil Nadu's Accident and Emergency Care Initiative, introduced in 2016. This program strengthened emergency medical care by coordinating pre-hospital, in-hospital, and rehabilitation interventions, reducing mortality and morbidity from accidents and emergencies.
Strategic Implementation and Expected Impact
A senior health department official stated that these adoptions are part of a broader strategy to leverage best practices from across India. By integrating these models, Rajasthan aims to:
- Improve screening and management of congenital heart diseases through the Hridyam programme.
- Enhance newborn care via tele-SNCU systems, ensuring expert support in remote areas.
- Strengthen maternal health services and reduce complications through high-risk tracking and emergency obstetric care.
- Boost emergency response capabilities with coordinated accident and emergency interventions.
This multi-faceted approach is expected to address key healthcare challenges in Rajasthan, particularly in rural and underserved regions, by bringing specialized care closer to communities and leveraging technology for better health outcomes.
