Gujarat's Namo Swachhata Abhiyan: 5.11 lakh unusable items found in 5 days
Synopsis
In just five days, Gujarat's Namo Swachhata Abhiyan has unearthed over 5.11 lakh unusable items across 12,000-plus government health facilities — freeing 1,512 rooms and restoring more than 10,000 assets. The scale of accumulated clutter points to years of deferred maintenance in public healthcare infrastructure.
Key Takeaways
Over 5,11,221 unusable items identified across Gujarat 's government health network in the first five days of Namo Swachhata Abhiyan .
More than 46,555 items disposed of on-site, freeing approximately 1,512 rooms for patient use.
On day five alone ( 5 July ), 58,594 items identified across 12,000+ institutions; 14,390 disposed of.
Around 10,165 assets — including furniture, ambulances, and medical devices — repaired and restored over five days.
Campaign launched by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Health Minister Praful Pansheriya from GMERS Auditorium, Gandhinagar ; runs until 7 July .
More than 5.11 lakh unusable items have been identified across Gujarat's government healthcare network in the first five days of the state-wide Namo Swachhata Abhiyan, with over 46,555 already disposed of on-site and approximately 1,512 rooms freed up for patient use, according to the state Health Department. The drive, launched under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, is running across all government health institutions until 7 July.
Scale of the Drive
On the fifth day of the campaign alone — 5 July — 58,594 unusable items were identified across more than 12,000 government health institutions, ranging from sub-centres to medical colleges. Of these, 14,390 items were disposed of at their respective locations, clearing 16 additional rooms within hospital premises for future patient-related use.
Since the campaign began, a cumulative total of 5,11,221 unusable items have been logged. The remaining materials are being processed for disposal in accordance with prescribed procedures.
Repairs and Asset Restoration
Beyond disposal, the drive has a significant repair component. On day five alone, around 684 items were repaired — including wooden and metal furniture, ambulances, government vehicles, electronic and IT equipment, and medical devices. Over the full five-day period, approximately 10,165 assets have been restored for active use.
What the Campaign Covers
Officials described the campaign's scope as extending well beyond a routine clean-up. It includes the removal of scrap, junk, and unusable materials from hospital premises; intensive cleaning of buildings and campuses; ensuring safe drinking water availability; and pipeline repairs. Work is also under way on fire and electrical safety improvements, minor civil works, furniture repairs, and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures to enhance patient safety.
Launch and Leadership
The state-wide campaign was formally launched from the GMERS Auditorium in Gandhinagar in the presence of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Health Minister Praful Pansheriya. It is scheduled to conclude on 7 July. This comes amid a broader national push to improve public health infrastructure, with Gujarat positioning the exercise as a model for systematic asset auditing in government hospitals — an area that has historically suffered from neglect and under-reporting of unusable stock.
Point of View
512 rooms were effectively blocked by accumulated clutter signals a structural problem in hospital administration, not a one-off lapse. The repair of 10,000-plus assets also raises a pointed question: if these items were repairable, why were they left to deteriorate? Gujarat's drive is politically well-branded, but the real measure of success will be whether it triggers a permanent audit-and-maintenance cycle — or remains a one-time clean-up ahead of the next election cycle.
NationPress
6 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Namo Swachhata Abhiyan in Gujarat?
The Namo Swachhata Abhiyan is a state-wide cleanliness and infrastructure improvement drive launched across all government healthcare institutions in Gujarat under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. It aims to remove unusable materials, repair assets, and improve safety standards in public health facilities, and is scheduled to run from its launch date until 7 July.
How many unusable items were identified under the campaign?
A total of 5,11,221 unusable items were identified across Gujarat's government health network in the first five days of the campaign. Of these, more than 46,555 have been disposed of on-site, freeing around 1,512 rooms for future patient use.
Which health facilities are covered under the drive?
The campaign covers all government health institutions in Gujarat, ranging from sub-centres to medical colleges and hospitals — more than 12,000 facilities in total, according to the state Health Department.
What kinds of work are being carried out beyond disposal?
Beyond disposal of unusable items, the campaign includes intensive campus cleaning, pipeline and furniture repairs, fire and electrical safety improvements, minor civil works, and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures. Approximately 10,165 assets including ambulances, IT equipment, and medical devices have been repaired and restored over five days.
When does the Namo Swachhata Abhiyan end?
The campaign is scheduled to conclude on 7 July. It was launched from the GMERS Auditorium in Gandhinagar in the presence of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Health Minister Praful Pansheriya.
