Why is Gehlot Opposing the Merger of RIMS with RUHS?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Gehlot opposes the merger of RUHS and State Cancer Institute into RIMS.
- He advocates for the establishment of a new medical institute with a central grant.
- The merger could negatively affect healthcare delivery in the state.
- RUHS's reputation during Covid highlights its significance.
- Gehlot emphasizes the need for expanding medical education and infrastructure.
Jaipur, Sep 9 (NationPress) Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has vehemently opposed the Rajasthan government’s initiative to form the Rajasthan Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Jaipur through the merger of the existing Rajasthan University of Health Sciences (RUHS) and the State Cancer Institute. He argues that instead of merging, the government should have sought a grant from the Centre to construct a brand-new medical institute.
Gehlot emphasized that this merger could potentially undermine two operational institutions, negatively impacting doctors, students, and patients.
He further contended that rather than renaming or restructuring well-established institutions, the government ought to have focused on establishing a new medical institute akin to AIIMS, which would have enhanced healthcare capacity and increased the number of medical seats available.
He stated, "The state government’s plan to create the RIMS hospital modeled after AIIMS in Jaipur is flawed. This initiative will take over the already established RUHS and State Cancer Institute, which is detrimental to both institutions and impacts doctors and patients adversely."
"RUHS is an autonomous university known globally for providing exceptional treatment during Covid. Transitioning RUHS into RIMS will lead to a loss of medical seats. Instead of shutting down an existing institute, the BJP government should have focused on developing a new RIMS institute," he highlighted.
Had a new institute been created as RIMS, the public would have benefitted significantly, and it would have marked a notable achievement for the Bhajan Lal government.
He further criticized the Rajasthan government, stating, "BJP members claimed that the double-engine government would ensure no shortage of funds from the Centre. In such circumstances, if the state lacks funds, they should secure a special grant for RIMS and establish a new institute. Simply changing the names of existing institutions is not a viable solution."