Gujarat Gov Allocates INR 25,403 Cr Budget for Healthcare

The latest allocation marked an 8.63 per cent increase over the previous year, with an additional Rs 2,017 crore specifically allocated to improve the quality of healthcare in remote areas.​

During the ongoing Budget session, the Gujarat Health Minister Praful Pansheriya has announced a significant INR 25,403 crore for the Health & Family Welfare Department.

The latest allocation marked an 8.63 per cent increase over the previous year, with an additional Rs 2,017 crore specifically allocated to improve the quality of healthcare in remote areas.​

While presenting the budget, the Health Minister said, “With a firm commitment to delivering quality healthcare services to even the remotest areas of the state, the health budget has been increased significantly this year.”

The major focus this year was put across divisions, including Maternal & Child Health, Workforce Strengthening, and Preventive Care.

The announcement emphasized the importance of digitalization for efficient workflow. Investments have been made in electronic health records and teleconsultation platforms.

Additionally, the budget session highlighted the importance of improving medical infrastructure, with funding allocated for upgrading hospitals, diagnostic centers, and telemedicine facilities. Efforts to boost diagnostic services include expanding free laboratory tests under the ‘Mukhyamantri Nidan Yojana’ from 71 to 134.​

The minister noted that the government, under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, was focused on ensuring access to healthcare for every citizen.​ He highlighted that 9,231 sub-health centres, 1,539 primary health centres, and 353 community health centres are currently operational across the state.​

In addition, 132 mobile healthcare units are functioning in underserved regions to improve last-mile access.​ A provision of Rs 5,733.01 crore has been made for the Family Welfare wing.​

Moreover, under the PMJAY-MA scheme, the annual cashless treatment limit per family has been raised to Rs 10 lakh, covering approximately 2,300 medical procedures.​ The scheme currently covers around 2.73 crore citizens, with a total allocation of Rs 3,471.78 crore.​

The minister said Rs 9,877.16 crore has been allocated for medical education. The number of medical colleges in Gujarat has increased from 41 to 43, while MBBS seats have reached 7,525.​

Plans are underway to set up massive ‘Medicity’ projects in Ahmedabad (Vasai) and Surat (Kamrej), each boasting a 1,500-bed multi-specialty hospital equipped with state-of-the-art cardiac, kidney, and cancer care facilities.

“These projects would contribute to the growth of medical tourism and provide high-end treatment infrastructure within the state,” he said.​

He also shared plans to expand IVF services to government hospitals in Surat, Bhavnagar, and Jamnagar. New Special Newborn Care Units will be introduced to help lower neonatal mortality, and a rehabilitation centre for neuro, orthopaedic, and sports injuries is on the way in Ahmedabad.

For critical care, new radiotherapy centres will open in Porbandar, Himmatnagar, Valsad, and Godhra, along with satellite centres to bring cancer and kidney treatment closer to patients’ homes.

In Rajkot, the old P.D.U. Hospital will be replaced by a brand-new 12-storey facility with 1,000 beds, costing an estimated Rs 360 crore. The Assembly later approved the department’s complete budget request of Rs 25,403.23 crore for the 2026-27 financial year.

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