AI SummaryShrestha Gujarat Scheme is a five-year health sector development project of Gujarat government, supported by the World Bank with a loan and technical help. The scheme was announced in the Gujarat Budget 2023-24 and is being implemented across all 33 districts and 8 municipal corporations of the state.
Under this scheme, the state government works on the complete development of the health sector. It covers quality certification of health services from sub centers to medical colleges, setting up diagnostic and treatment centers for non-infectious diseases like cancer and diabetes, and a health review center for intensive online monitoring. The project runs from 2022 to 2027 with a total budget of about ₹3750 crore.
Shrestha Gujarat Scheme in Gujarat Budget 2026-27
Finance Minister Kanubhai Desai presented the Gujarat Budget 2026-27 on 18 February 2026. In this budget, a provision of ₹502 crore has been made for the Shrestha Gujarat Project to strengthen health facilities, control non-infectious diseases and tackle other public health problems. This shows the scheme continues to be a key part of the state's health spending.
Shrestha Gujarat Scheme was first announced in the Gujarat Budget 2023-24, which was presented on 24 February 2023. At that time, the state government said the scheme would be implemented over a period of 5 years at a cost of about ₹4200 crore, with the loan and technical assistance of the World Bank. Quality certification of health services at all levels from sub centers to medical colleges would be done under the scheme.
The scheme is part of the health systems reform work of Gujarat government and is also known as SRESTHA Gujarat, which stands for Systems for Reforms Endeavours for Transformed Health Achievement in Gujarat. The main aim of the project is to improve the quality, equity and coverage of primary health care in the state.
Overview of Shrestha Gujarat Scheme
| Name of Scheme | Shrestha Gujarat Scheme |
| In Hindi | श्रेष्ठ गुजरात योजना |
| State | Gujarat |
| Date of Announcement | 24 February 2023 |
| Project Period | 2022 to 2027 |
| Budget Provision in 2026-27 | ₹502 crore |
| Who Will Give Loan / Technical Assistance | World Bank |
| Who Announced it | Finance Minister, while presenting Gujarat Budget 2023-24 |
| Benefit | Overall development of health sector in Gujarat |
Key Focus Areas of Shrestha Gujarat Scheme
The scheme works on several result areas to improve the health system of the state. Some of the main focus areas are given below.
- Improving primary care for mothers, children, adolescents, non-infectious diseases and mental health.
- Strengthening service delivery models for adolescent girls, including their health and anemia management.
- Improving disease surveillance and early detection of outbreaks and response.
- Strengthening quality of care with a focus on governance, accountability and citizen engagement.
Gujarat government runs many other health schemes for the people of the state. You can check Niramay Gujarat Yojana and Gujarat Mukhyamantri Nidan Yojana for more health benefits.
Official Website and Documents
Eligible people and departments can check the latest updates, rules and reports of the scheme on the official website of the Health and Family Welfare Department of Gujarat. The scheme page carries all the government resolutions, guidelines and operational reports related to the project.
Official Website: SRESTHA Gujarat official page
Source / Reference Link: Gujarat Budget 2026-27 at a glance