Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma inspects SMS Hospital OPD services in surprise visit
Synopsis
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma walked into SMS Hospital unannounced on his way back from Bhilwara, quizzed patients directly, and issued on-the-spot orders to overhaul OPD logistics — from dedicated medicine counters to better seating and drinking water. It is a visible accountability signal from a government that has staked part of its image on public healthcare reform.
Key Takeaways
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma conducted a surprise OPD inspection at SMS Hospital, Jaipur on 6 June .
He reviewed Medicine, Orthopaedics, Cardiology , and Neurology departments at Dhanvantari Bhawan .
Directed hospital to set up testing and medicine counters within each OPD department to reduce patient movement.
Instructed officials to ensure adequate seating, drinking water , and high cleanliness standards .
Sharma cited significant improvements over the past two and a half years while calling for further corrective action.
Senior officials including Gayatri Rathore , Deepak Maheshwari , and Mrinal Joshi accompanied the CM.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma conducted an unannounced inspection of Outpatient Department (OPD) services at Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur on Saturday, 6 June, reviewing medical arrangements, medicine availability, diagnostic facilities, and cleanliness standards across multiple departments. The visit came on his return to Jaipur after a trip to Bhilwara.
What the CM Reviewed
Sharma inspected OPD operations at Dhanvantari Bhawan, covering the Medicine, Orthopaedics, Cardiology, and Neurology departments. He interacted directly with patients and their attendants, gathering on-ground feedback that informed a set of directives issued to hospital officials on the spot.
Key Directives Issued
Acting on patient feedback, the Chief Minister directed the hospital administration to set up dedicated testing and medicine counters within individual OPD departments, so patients are not required to move across the hospital campus for essential services. He also instructed officials to ensure adequate seating, uninterrupted access to drinking water, and consistently high standards of cleanliness throughout the premises.
Sharma underscored the importance of integrating technology to make healthcare delivery more efficient and accessible, given the rising patient load at the institution.
What the CM Said
Speaking to the media after the inspection, Sharma said the state government is 'continuously strengthening healthcare services at SMS Hospital to ensure timely, high-quality treatment for patients.' He acknowledged that facilities have seen 'significant improvements over the past two and a half years' and commended the Medical Department and hospital administration for their work, while noting that further corrective steps would be taken wherever gaps remain.
He also highlighted that SMS Hospital is among the country's premier public healthcare institutions, drawing patients not only from Rajasthan but from several neighbouring states — a fact that, he argued, makes continuous service expansion a priority.
Officials Present
The inspection was attended by Gayatri Rathore, Principal Secretary, Medical and Health Department; Deepak Maheshwari, Principal, SMS Medical College; and Mrinal Joshi, Superintendent, SMS Hospital, along with senior doctors and hospital staff.
This is the latest in a series of field inspections by the Rajasthan government aimed at improving public healthcare delivery at state-run facilities. Whether the directives issued on Saturday translate into sustained operational changes will be closely watched by patients and health advocates alike.
Point of View
But their impact depends entirely on follow-through. The directives Sharma issued — dedicated OPD counters, seating, drinking water — are operational basics that should not require a CM visit to enforce. That they do points to a systemic accountability gap in hospital administration. SMS Hospital's cross-state patient load also raises a structural question: has capacity expansion kept pace with demand, or are cosmetic fixes papering over a deeper resource crunch? The real test will come in six months, when the cameras are gone.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did CM Bhajanlal Sharma visit SMS Hospital?
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma made a surprise visit to SMS Hospital in Jaipur on 6 June to inspect OPD services, review patient facilities, and assess the availability of medicines and diagnostic services. The visit was unplanned and came on his return from Bhilwara.
What changes did the CM direct at SMS Hospital?
Sharma directed the hospital to establish dedicated testing and medicine counters within individual OPD departments so patients do not have to move across the campus. He also called for improved seating, drinking water access, and cleanliness standards throughout the hospital.
Which OPD departments were inspected?
The CM inspected the Medicine, Orthopaedics, Cardiology, and Neurology departments at Dhanvantari Bhawan within SMS Hospital.
Who is Sawai Man Singh Hospital and why is it significant?
SMS Hospital in Jaipur is one of India's major public healthcare institutions, serving patients from Rajasthan as well as several other states. Its large patient load makes service quality and capacity a recurring concern for the Rajasthan government.
Who were the officials present during the inspection?
The inspection was attended by Gayatri Rathore, Principal Secretary of the Medical and Health Department; Deepak Maheshwari, Principal of SMS Medical College; and Mrinal Joshi, Superintendent of SMS Hospital, along with senior doctors and staff.
