R ARIVANANTHAM
GANDHINAGAR, APR 7
If you thought that Gujarat State stands numero uno only in industrialisation and wealth creation, you have to change that perception now. In alignment with the World Health Day 2025 theme, “Healthy Start, Hopeful Future,” Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has ensured that every mother and child in the state receives quality healthcare services right from the start of life.
The theme focuses on maternal and newborn health, aiming to empower women’s rights and increase maternal and neonatal care investments. In this direction, the Gujarat Government has taken several innovative and impactful initiatives, establishing itself as a national maternal and child health leader.
- “Healthy Start, Hopeful Future” – Gujarat’s journey to becoming a national model in maternal and child care
- Gujarat honoured with two Gold SKOCH Awards for excellence in child health at the SKOCH 100 Summit, in February 2025
- Gujarat records a remarkable 50% reduction in MMR, while IMR sees a significant drop of 57.40%
- Gujarat is the only state in India to provide digital health cards to school students, with 1.15 crore cards issued so far
- Gujarat achieved a remarkable 99.97% institutional delivery rate, setting a national benchmark
- Between 2019 and 2023, Gujarat ranked number one among large states in newborn health screening, congenital disorder identification, and management
All these feats have been made possible under the guidance and vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mantra “Swasth Bharat, Samriddh Bharat”.
Motherhood Secured with a Remarkable 50% Reduction in Maternal Mortality Rate
Through its focused efforts to improve maternal health, the Gujarat government has achieved a remarkable 50% reduction in the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR). Gujarat’s MMR, which stood at 112 during 2011–13, has dropped to 57 as per the data released in 2020. It is noteworthy that every year, over 14 lakh pregnant women in the state receive timely and quality check-ups, immunizations, and nutrition services. To further strengthen maternal and child healthcare, Gujarat has established 121 First Referral Units (FRUs), 153 Blood Storage Units, and 20 dedicated Maternity ICUs, ensuring timely and safe emergency care. As a result of these efforts, the state has achieved an outstanding institutional delivery rate of 99.97%, setting a national benchmark.
Impact of HBNC, HBYC, and SNCU Programs: Significant 57.4O% Reduction in IMR
Simultaneously, the state government is working towards the goal of reducing the Infant Mortality Rate to single digits by 2030, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) dropped significantly from 54 per 1,000 live births in 2005 to 23 in 2020, a remarkable reduction of 57.40%. Key initiatives such as Home-Based Newborn Care (HBNC) and Home-Based Young Child Care (HBYC) have led to the achievement. Additionally, SAANS and Stop Diarrhea, along with Gujarat’s robust newborn care infrastructure comprising 58 Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs), 138 Newborn Stabilization Units (NBSUs), and 1,083 Newborn Care Corners (NBCCs) have played a vital role.
SH-RBSK & Breaking the Silence Campaign: Transforming Child Health and Restoring Hope
Under Gujarat’s flagship SH-RBSK program, over 1.61 crore children are screened annually via 992 Mobile Health Teams and 28 District Early Intervention Centers. As of January 2025, 206 kidney, 37 liver, and 211 bone marrow transplants have been successfully performed under this initiative. In addition, 20,981 children have been provided free treatment for kidney-related issues, 11,215 for cancer, and 167,379 children for heart-related diseases.
Similarly, under the SH-RBSK initiative, the Gujarat government’s “Breaking the Silence” campaign provides free cochlear implant surgeries for children with profound hearing loss. So far, the campaign has helped restore hearing in 3,260 children, supported by ₹228 crore in government funding. In recognition of these achievements, Gujarat’s Health Department received two prestigious Gold SKOCH Awards for excellence in child health in February 2025.
Gujarat Leading a Digital Revolution in Child Health
Notably, Gujarat is the first state in the country to issue digital health card reports for school students. So far, over 1.15 crore digital health cards have been issued. These cards securely store each student’s complete health check-up and treatment details, ensuring continuous and comprehensive monitoring of children’s health. Further strengthening its leadership in child healthcare, Gujarat ranked first among large states at the national level between 2019 and 2023 in newborn health screening, identification of congenital disorders, and their effective management.
