Gujarat has requested the Centre to establish a dedicated organ transplant center at AIIMS Rajkot, tighten regulations against food and drug adulteration, and enforce stricter controls on antibiotic use. Health Minister Praful Pansheriya represented Gujarat at the 16th Central Council of Health and Family Welfare meeting in New Delhi, chaired by Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda. Pansheriya emphasized that the proposed organ transplant facility at AIIMS Rajkot would enhance access to specialized care for patients in western Gujarat, reducing the need for long-distance travel for treatment.
During the meeting, Pansheriya highlighted the importance of amending the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, to include harsher penalties for those involved in food and drug adulteration. He stressed that stronger laws would enable authorities to take stricter actions against offenders, thereby safeguarding public health. The minister also expressed concerns about the excessive and unregulated use of antibiotics in the country, warning about the rise of antimicrobial resistance due to misuse.
Furthermore, the meeting saw the introduction of various digital platforms under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission to expand digital healthcare services nationwide. Operational guidelines for the ‘Anaemia Mukt Bharat’ campaign were also unveiled, aiming to combat anaemia and enhance public health outcomes. Participants discussed enhancing technology-driven healthcare delivery and improving accessibility and transparency in health services through digital platforms.
Pansheriya affirmed that the Gujarat government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, is dedicated to providing quality and modern healthcare services to all citizens. He reiterated the state’s commitment to collaborating with the Central Government to bolster Gujarat’s healthcare sector and support the implementation of the Digital Health Mission for improved health services statewide.
