Gujarat government hospitals and medical colleges are set to receive 18 advanced phacoemulsification machines for cataract surgeries, at an estimated cost of over ₹8.85 crore, after state Health Minister Praful Pansheriya approved the procurement on Thursday, 15 October 2026. The equipment will be distributed across institutions in nine cities — Ahmedabad, Surat, Bhavnagar, Vadodara, Jamnagar, Morbi, Gandhinagar, Vadnagar, and Himmatnagar — enabling patients to access modern eye treatment free of cost.

Distribution Across Key Hospitals

The largest allocation goes to the M and J Institute of Ophthalmology in Ahmedabad, which will receive seven machines. Government Medical College in Bhavnagar and GMERS Hospital in Morbi will each receive two machines.

One machine each has been allocated to New Civil Hospital and Old Civil Hospital in Surat, GG General Hospital in Jamnagar, ESIC General Hospital in Vadodara, and GMERS institutions in Gandhinagar, Vadnagar, and Himmatnagar.

What the Technology Offers

Phacoemulsification is the current global standard for cataract removal, using precisely controlled ultrasound energy to break down and extract lens fragments through a small incision. The newly approved machines incorporate elliptical movement technology in the handpiece and a peristaltic pump system to regulate fluid flow and vacuum, allowing cataract particles to be removed via suction.

A foot-pedal control system lets surgeons adjust ultrasound energy, vacuum, and fluid flow in real time according to the demands of each procedure. The machines also feature CASE (Chamber Stabilisation Environment) technology, which moderates sudden shifts in vacuum and fluid flow to maintain stable intraocular pressure and reduce the risk of a post-occlusion surge — an abrupt pressure drop that can complicate surgery.

The handpiece design further limits excess heat near the incision site, reducing the likelihood of corneal oedema (corneal swelling) and other post-operative complications, thereby supporting faster patient recovery.

Why This Matters for Public Eye Care

Cataract remains the leading cause of preventable blindness in India, disproportionately affecting lower-income populations who depend on government health infrastructure. By upgrading public facilities with precision equipment previously concentrated in private hospitals, the Gujarat government is aiming to narrow this access gap. The free-of-cost service provision is particularly significant for patients in smaller cities like Morbi, Vadnagar, and Himmatnagar, where private ophthalmic care is limited.

Notably, anchoring the bulk of machines — seven — at the M and J Institute of Ophthalmology in Ahmedabad signals a hub-and-spoke approach, with the state's premier eye-care institution serving as the primary referral centre.

Government Statement and Next Steps

The approval was granted at a dedicated meeting chaired by Health Minister Pansheriya, framed as part of the state government's broader initiative to strengthen eye-care infrastructure at government medical colleges and hospitals. Procurement and logistics timelines have not yet been publicly detailed, but the ministerial sanction clears the final administrative hurdle for the purchase.