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The Hindu

Activists seek restoration of flagship schemes, focus on health infrastructure

Health activists attached to the Rajasthan Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (JSA) on Friday (May 2, 2025) sought restoration of three major health initiatives launched by the previous Congress government as the flagship schemes. The JSA said the status of flagship schemes would help safeguard their impact and priority. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government had recently removed three initiatives, namely Nirogi Rajasthan, Chief Minister's Nishulk Dawa Yojana and Chief Minister's Nishulk Jaanch Yojana from the category of flagship schemes. The JSA pointed out that these schemes had strengthened the State's public healthcare framework and enhanced people's access to government health services. The JSA, functioning as the Rajasthan chapter of the People's Health Movement and supported by a coalition of 70 networks and organisations, has submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, seeking his intervention in the matter. Chhaya Pachauli, director of voluntary group Prayas, said these initiatives had improved health outcomes across the State and served as a model for universal healthcare, inspiring several other States to adopt similar programmes. 'Their role in advancing equitable healthcare access has been widely recognised as a milestone in Rajasthan's public health journey,' Ms. Pachauli said. The JSA said the decision to downgrade these schemes from flagship status had raised serious concerns about their future funding, political commitment, and operational priority. This move could reverse the substantial progress made in healthcare accessibility and affordability, particularly for the State's poorest and most vulnerable populations, Ms. Pachauli said. The JSA has sought an urgent dialogue with the State government and swift action to restore the three schemes to their rightful flagship status. Among the three schemes, Nirogi Rajasthan dealt with elderly care, women and children and spreading awareness about vaccination and drug addiction.