Vikas Saptah: Gujarat pioneering enhanced healthcare services for all

It has notably succeeded in providing healthcare services to rural and remote areas through mobile healthcare units equipped with life-saving devices and staffed by paramedics, doctors, and nurses.

With 128 mobile health units across 27 districts, the Gujarat government, under the National Rural Health Mission, delivers primary care directly to villagers' doorsteps, reducing the need for long journeys to access essential medical services.

Kiran Choudhary, the village head of Khareda in Mandvi, said, "The mobile medical facility has been available since Narendra Bhai Modi became the Chief Minister, and now, as the Prime Minister, he has ensured that medical treatment reaches every household. Everyone is happy to benefit from this service."

Naveen Choudhary, a villager, said, "In our village, we receive medical services every Tuesday. A mobile unit vehicle arrives, and medicines are provided free of cost, which helps patients recover."

Speaking to ANI, Sandeep Gadhvi, Program Manager of the Mobile Health Unit Service in Surat, said, "If someone in a village is ill and wants to benefit from healthcare services, the team can visit their home. For elderly people, we provide services right at their doorstep."

Gujarat has ranked first in the "Good Health and Well-Being" category for the second consecutive year, according to NITI Aayog's SDG India Index 2023-24.

Under Narendra Modi's leadership as Chief Minister, the state made significant strides in healthcare, expanding infrastructure and launching key initiatives in maternal health, immunization, and disease control.

In 2012, he established the Gujarat Medical Services Corporation to ensure timely access to essential medicines.

The state continues to set a benchmark for healthcare accessibility, affordability, and quality services.

Dr. Rakesh S. Joshi, Medical Superintendent of Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, said, "We handle complex cases related to orthopedics and even neurosurgery, such as brain tumors. Patients need not worry, as they can simply present their Ayushman (PMJAY) card to receive treatment. Additionally, they are provided with a transfer allowance to ensure they can return home without any hassle. This program offers great support to families, especially those holding a PMJAY card."

When Narendra Modi became Prime Minister in 2014, he expanded several initiatives from his time as Gujarat's Chief Minister.

Gujarat's Chiranjeevi Yojana evolved into the PM Matrutva Vandana Yojana, improving health outcomes for pregnant and lactating women. The Mukhya Mantri Amrutam Yojana, launched in Gujarat in 2012, was expanded nationally as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) in 2018.

At Vadodara's SSG Hospital, patients from Gujarat and neighboring states receive free treatment for serious illnesses under the Ayushman Card scheme.

Sajid Ghanchi, a 48-year-old driver from Halol, underwent cancer surgeries and chemotherapy at no cost, expressing his gratitude to the Prime Minister.

Rehana, Sajid's wife, said, "It's a very good facility. We are poor and don't have much money, but the Ayushman Card is good, and through it, the operation was done."

Dr. Ranjan Ayyar, Medical Superintendent of SSG Hospital in Vadodara, said, "Patients from the tribal belt are coming in. Perhaps due to financial constraints, they were previously hesitant to visit hospitals in larger cities. Now, these patients are able to access care by presenting their PMJAY cards at government, trust, and PMJAY-affiliated hospitals."

Gujarat's healthcare infrastructure has significantly improved, with a total of 2,647 hospitals.

To further enhance healthcare services, the Gujarat government allocated Rs15,182 crores to healthcare in the 2023-24 budget, up from Rs12,240 crores in 2022-23.

Under the double-engine leadership of Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, healthcare is becoming more accessible across Gujarat.