Gandhinagar, Dec 28 (NationPress) Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced on Sunday that Gujarat is witnessing an annual addition of over 7,000 doctors.

During his address at the ‘All India Medical Conference – IMA NATCON 2025’ and the Indian Medical Association's oath-taking ceremony in Ahmedabad, CM Patel emphasized that India's healthcare system has seen substantial improvements over the last decade, thanks to enhanced facilities, modern infrastructure, and the integration of cutting-edge medical technologies.

He pointed out the rapid expansion of AIIMS institutions, medical colleges, and super-specialty hospitals throughout the nation.

While discussing Gujarat's advancements, the Chief Minister reiterated that healthcare and medical education have always been top priorities for the government. He reminisced about the time when Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister, and the state had merely 1,175 medical seats. “Today, guided by the vision of establishing one medical college in each district, Gujarat is adding more than 7,000 doctors annually,” he stated.

Bhupendra Patel also stressed that India's medical education sector has experienced a significant overhaul since 2014. The number of medical colleges has surged from 387 to 731, marking an 88 percent increase. Similarly, MBBS seats have risen from 51,000 to over 112,000, while postgraduate seats have escalated by 133 percent, from 31,000 to 72,000.

On the topic of Gujarat's long-term development objectives, he shared that the state government has devised the Viksit Gujarat @2047 roadmap, aligned with the national goal of Viksit Bharat. This roadmap sets ambitious targets, including achieving 100 percent universal healthcare coverage and eradicating anaemia and malnutrition. He expressed confidence that the medical community will play a vital role in realizing the vision of Swasth Gujarat, Sashakt Samruddh Gujarat.

The Chief Minister also highlighted that 2025 will be a momentous year, commemorating the 150th birth anniversaries of Sardar Patel and Bhagwan Birsa Munda, as well as the centenary of the All India Medical Conference and the IMA. He remarked that the IMA has, for over a century, evolved from a professional organization into a crucial institution for safeguarding the nation’s health.

Referring to the theme of IMA NATCON-2025, Bhupendra Patel stated that it resonates with the vision of ‘Healthcare and Well-being for All’. He congratulated the attendees for uniting under the centenary motto of Service, Science, and Synergy, expressing hope that their discussions will pave the way for new directions in India's healthcare landscape.

He extended his best wishes to Dr Anil Nayak and his team, hoping they would proceed with the guiding principle of ‘Nation First, Patient First’.

On this occasion, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that India is steadily developing a comprehensive health ecosystem, with a strong focus on preventive care, wellness, and ensuring accessible healthcare for all.