Gastro Crisis in Gujarat: Rising Abdominal Emergencies

Escalating Emergency Calls

Gastro: In 2025, Gujarat witnessed a surge in medical emergencies linked to abdominal pain, surpassing even heart and respiratory cases. While 98,582 calls were related to heart disease and 1,31,732 to respiratory ailments, abdominal pain accounted for a staggering 2,15,438 emergency admissions. This marks an increase of 20,000 cases compared to 2024 and 52,000 compared to 2023, reflecting a 31% rise in just two years.

Regional Burden

Urban centers are bearing the brunt of this crisis. Ahmedabad alone reported nearly 61,000 cases, while Surat recorded 26,000. Together, these districts contribute over 40% of the total abdominal emergencies. Other districts such as Rajkot, Vadodara, and Valsad each reported more than 8,000 cases. Notably, Tapi district, with a population of only 9 lakh, registered over 7,000 cases—highlighting a disproportionately high disease burden. Importantly, these figures exclude 3.76 lakh pregnancy-related pain cases, underscoring the distinct nature of the gastro crisis.

Underlying Causes

The surge in abdominal pain emergencies stems from multiple factors. Common digestive issues such as indigestion, gas, and constipation remain widespread. Food adulteration and diarrhea add to the burden, while viral infections like stomach flu spread rapidly in urban areas. Chronic conditions including gastritis, appendicitis, gallstones, and urinary tract infections often go untreated, leading to severe complications such as pancreatitis. Psychological stress contributes to long-term disorders like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Additionally, uncontrolled acidity, acid reflux, GERD, and ulcers further exacerbate the crisis.

Public Health Implications

The rising trend of abdominal emergencies highlights an urgent need for improved food safety, preventive healthcare, and awareness campaigns. With urbanization intensifying the problem, Gujarat faces a growing challenge that demands coordinated medical, social, and policy responses to curb the gastro crisis.