New Delhi/Gandhinagar, June 30 (IANS) Gujarat has urged the Centre to establish a full-fledged organ transplant facility at AIIMS Rajkot, tighten legal provisions against food and drug adulteration and introduce stricter controls on the use of antibiotics during the 16th meeting of the Central Council of Health and Family Welfare (CCHFW) in New Delhi, officials said on Tuesday.

Health Minister Praful Pansheriya represented Gujarat at the meeting, chaired by Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda, where states discussed key public health priorities and the implementation of national health initiatives.

During the meeting, Pansheriya said the proposed organ transplant facility at AIIMS Rajkot would improve access to advanced treatment for patients from the Saurashtra and Kutch regions, reducing the need for them to travel long distances for specialised care.

“The facility would allow thousands of patients in western Gujarat to receive timely and quality treatment closer to home,” he said.

The minister also called for amendments to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, seeking stricter and more 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 said, quoting the minister.

Pansheriya also raised concerns about the increasing, uncontrolled use of antibiotics in the country, warning that excessive use was contributing to antimicrobial resistance.

He urged the Centre to formulate and strictly implement a national policy to ensure the responsible and regulated use of antibiotics.

The meeting also marked the launch of several digital platforms under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, aimed at expanding digital healthcare services nationwide.

The operational guidelines for the ‘Anaemia Mukt Bharat’ campaign were also released, with the initiative intended to support efforts to reduce anaemia and improve public health outcomes.

According to the state government, participants at the meeting reviewed measures to strengthen technology-driven healthcare delivery and discussed ways to improve accessibility and transparency in health services through digital platforms.

Speaking after the meeting, the minister said the Gujarat government would continue working with the Centre to strengthen healthcare services in the state.

“Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the Gujarat government is committed to providing every citizen with quality, accessible and modern healthcare services. We will continue to work in coordination with the Central Government to further strengthen Gujarat’s healthcare sector,” he said.

He also said Gujarat would continue to support the implementation of the Centre’s Digital Health Mission to ensure better health services and the well-being of all citizens across the state.

–IANS

mys/dan