Rajasthan looks south to revamp public healthcare, plans to adapt Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana models

Rajasthan is preparing a major overhaul of its public healthcare system by drawing lessons from the models followed in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana, states widely seen as benchmarks in primary care delivery, hospital management and public health outcomes.

Senior officials in the health department said the state government is studying how these states have strengthened primary health centres, ensured consistent drug supply and built referral networks that reduce pressure on tertiary hospitals. The focus, they said, is on making government facilities the first point of care rather than a last resort.

One of the key areas under review is Kerala’s emphasis on preventive care and community-level interventions, which has helped improve health indicators despite limited resources. Tamil Nadu’s centralised drug procurement system, credited with lowering costs while maintaining quality, is also being examined for possible adaptation. Telangana’s investments in hospital infrastructure and digital health records are expected to inform Rajasthan’s plans to modernise services and improve patient tracking.

Officials indicated that pilot projects could be rolled out in select districts to test these approaches before a wider expansion. The exercise is part of a broader attempt to address gaps in access, staffing and service quality, particularly in rural and remote regions.

The government has maintained that any changes will be tailored to local conditions rather than copied wholesale. The aim, officials said, is to build a more reliable, affordable and people-centric public healthcare system across Rajasthan, using proven practices from states that have shown sustained results over time.