Patna (Bihar) [India], July 1 (ANI): Former Rajasthan Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Monday said that if the INDIA bloc comes to power in Bihar after the upcoming assembly elections, it will implement Rajasthan's health model in the state.

Speaking at a press conference in Patna, Gehlot said, 'The health model we have created in Rajasthan cannot be compared to any other in the entire country. We have also enacted the 'Right to Health' law in Rajasthan, under which every family has been provided with insurance coverage. The Government of India's Ayushman Bharat scheme benefits only a select few, whereas Rajasthan is the only state where we have provided coverage to the entire population of the state.'

Reiterating his party's commitment, Gehlot said, 'Our promise is - As soon as the INDIA alliance government is formed in Bihar, we will implement a health model like Rajasthan here.'

He further explained the scheme's benefits: 'Under this scheme, people are being provided free facilities--be it treatment, medicine, or diagnostics. Such a scheme does not exist anywhere else. Therefore, the Rajasthan model should be adopted by every state in the country so that every poor person can benefit. If a government is formed in Bihar, we will implement a similar health model in that state as well.'

Gehlot also raised concerns about the health infrastructure in Bihar. 'The condition of the health system in Bihar is concerning. Diseases like diarrhoea, typhoid, TB, HIV, diabetes, cancer, and heart attacks have gripped the people of the state. According to the CAG report, there is a severe shortage of diagnostic equipment in Bihar. There is a lack of equipment supply. The budget allocated by the government is also not being fully utilised,' he said.

Comparing it with Rajasthan's approach, he added, 'The Government of India's Ayushman scheme benefits only a small portion of the population. However, according to our health model, treatment and medicines are free in both government and private hospitals. As Chief Minister, I initiated a scheme for free treatment up to 25 lakh, which greatly benefited the people. Additionally, the condition of hospitals also improved. I urge the Government of India to adopt our health model and implement it across the entire country.' (ANI)