Gujarat Health Minister Praful Pansheriya on 30 June urged the Centre to establish a full-fledged organ transplant facility at AIIMS Rajkot, arguing it would spare thousands of patients in the Saurashtra and Kutch regions from travelling long distances for specialised care. The demand was placed before the 16th meeting of the Central Council of Health and Family Welfare (CCHFW) held in New Delhi, chaired by Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda.

The Case for AIIMS Rajkot

Pansheriya argued that a dedicated transplant unit at AIIMS Rajkot would bring advanced tertiary care within reach of patients across western Gujarat. 'The facility would allow thousands of patients in western Gujarat to receive timely and quality treatment closer to home,' he said. Currently, patients from Saurashtra and Kutch must travel to larger cities for organ transplant procedures, adding financial and logistical strain to already critical medical situations.

Tougher Laws on Food and Drug Adulteration

The Gujarat minister also called for amendments to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, seeking more stringent and deterrent legal provisions against those involved in the adulteration of food and medicines. 'Stronger laws would allow authorities to take tougher action against offenders and help curb offences that pose a risk to public health,' officials quoted Pansheriya as saying. Critics of the current framework have long argued that penalties under the existing law are insufficient to act as a credible deterrent.

Antibiotic Overuse and Antimicrobial Resistance

Pansheriya raised alarm over the rising, unregulated use of antibiotics across India, warning that unchecked consumption is accelerating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) — a concern that public health experts have flagged as a slow-moving crisis. He urged the Centre to formulate and strictly enforce a national antibiotic policy to ensure responsible, regulated use. India is among the world's largest consumers of antibiotics, and AMR is increasingly recognised as a systemic threat to healthcare outcomes.

Key Launches at the CCHFW Meeting

The 16th CCHFW session also saw the launch of several digital platforms under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, aimed at broadening technology-driven healthcare access nationwide. Operational guidelines for the 'Anaemia Mukt Bharat' campaign were released at the meeting, designed to support efforts to reduce anaemia prevalence and improve overall public health outcomes. Participants reviewed measures to strengthen digital health delivery and discussed improving transparency and accessibility in health services.

Gujarat's Broader Health Commitments

Speaking after the meeting, Pansheriya said Gujarat would continue working in coordination with the Centre to strengthen the state's healthcare infrastructure. He reiterated the state government's commitment to supporting the Digital Health Mission to ensure better services for all citizens. The minister also said Gujarat's efforts are guided by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. The next steps on Gujarat's proposals — including the AIIMS Rajkot transplant unit — now rest with the Centre's response to the CCHFW deliberations.