Gandhinagar: Highlighting figures from the Union government's recent report, 'Household Social Consumption: Health', the state unit of the Congress party alleged that people's trust in the government health setup is decreasing. The survey was conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO) from January to December 2025.
Key Findings from the NSO Report
Party spokesperson Parthivrajsinh Kathavadia told reporters at the GPCC headquarters on Tuesday that in Gujarat's rural areas, 28.2% of patients received treatment in government hospitals, 59.5% in private hospitals, and the remainder in hospitals run by NGOs or charitable trusts. In urban areas, 23.5% of patients chose government hospitals, while 69.5% were treated in private hospitals.
Childbirth Statistics
Kathavadia further stated that in rural Gujarat, 42.5% of children are born in government hospitals, compared to 51.5% in private hospitals. In urban areas, 32.9% of births occur in government hospitals, while 63.5% take place in private facilities.
'People's trust in Gujarat's public health service has declined due to a lack of facilities and a shortage of doctors, forcing them to rely on private healthcare. The report also highlights significant economic disparities in healthcare costs between rural and urban areas in Gujarat,' he said.
Healthcare Expenditure Disparities
The average expenditure for hospitalized patients was Rs 28,516 in rural areas and Rs 53,747 in urban areas, Kathavadia added. These figures underscore the financial burden on patients, particularly in urban centers where costs are nearly double.
The Congress party's allegations come amid ongoing debates about healthcare infrastructure and accessibility in Gujarat. The NSO report provides a comprehensive overview of healthcare utilization patterns, revealing a clear preference for private healthcare across both rural and urban demographics.
