Gujarat has often been projected as one of India’s leading destinations for advanced healthcare, attracting patients not only from across the country but also from abroad. The state government has repeatedly highlighted medical tourism and expanding treatment facilities as signs of progress.
Yet, there is an irony playing out within Gujarat itself.
Even as outsiders travel to the state for specialised care, the number of Gujaratis being admitted to hospitals year after year is steadily climbing — pointing to a growing burden of disease back at home.
According to media reports, data cited from the Central shows a consistent rise in hospital admissions over the last three years. In 2022–23, around 9.15 lakh patients were admitted for treatment in Gujarat. The following year, 2023–24, this figure jumped sharply to 12.80 lakh. By 2024–25, admissions increased further to 14.51 lakh.
Taken together, Gujarat recorded a total of 36.46 lakh hospital admissions over the three-year period — an upward trend that raises questions about the state’s overall public health situation.
Every year, the Gujarat government allocates significant funds for the health sector in its budget and speaks of improvements in infrastructure and welfare schemes. One of the key initiatives has been the Ayushman Bharat card, which provides eligible patients with free treatment coverage of up to Rs.10 lakh.
However, rising admissions have also meant rising expenditure. Official figures indicate that nearly Rs.2.10 lakh crore was spent on treating hospitalised patients in Gujarat during these three years, showing that healthcare costs are increasing alongside patient numbers.
Public health experts point out that the growing hospital load reflects deeper challenges in disease control. Gujarat continues to report high numbers of lifestyle and chronic illnesses such as cancer and diabetes, along with infectious and water-borne diseases including cholera, typhoid, dengue, and chikungunya.
Dr. Bharat Gadhavi, president of Ahmedabad Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association, told Vibes of India that the reasons for higher admissions can be attributed to tobacco consumption and lifestyle issues. He recommended that the government should ban alcohol.
Dr. Karan Barot, a medical professional and spokesperson of Aam Aadmi Party’s Gujarat unit, told Vibes of India that the growing number of diseases and problems can be attributed to the lifestyle and environmental factors. He pointed out that these days people tend to eat more outside and they also eat processed food.
He said the government should undertake a real ground survey to find out the real reasons for the problems.
While slogans of a “Healthy Gujarat” are often promoted, overflowing hospital wards suggest that the fight against disease remains far from over.
As Gujarat positions itself as a hub for medical tourism, the rising number of its own residents requiring hospital care highlights an urgent need to strengthen preventive healthcare and address the root causes behind the state’s growing illness burden.
Also Read: Contaminated Drinking Water Triggers Typhoid Outbreak In Gandhinagar, NHRC Intervenes https://www.vibesofindia.com/contaminated-drinking-water-triggers-typhoid-outbreak-in-gandhinagar-nhrc-intervenes/
