Medical experts were hoping for a substantial increase in budget allocation to the healthcare sector. Thus, 137% increase in budget allocation as compared to last year has provided some respite, especially after the way the pandemic exposed the weaknesses in the country’s healthcare system. This was hailed as a welcome step by doctors and medical experts.
The government placed the healthcare sector in the first section of the budget speech which shows their dedication to strengthen healthcare facilities. The total budget outlay for the health and wellbeing sector is Rs 2.23 lakh crore whereas last year it was Rs 94,452 crore. PM Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana has announced with a total outlay of Rs 64,180 crore over six years.
The government has allocated Rs 35,000 crore for Covid-19 vaccines, will provide further funds if required and Rs 2,663 crore for the department in health research. Around INR 60,030 crore has been earmarked for the department of drinking water and sanitisation. Reactions of doctors and medical experts on the budget are as follows:
Enhancing access to healthcare is a great move
The budget 2021 has certainly focused more on healthcare than the previous budget. With an objective to improve healthcare infrastructure, the government allocated Rs 64,180 crore which will be invested over six years to improve primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare in addition to National Health Digital Mission. This can lead to bringing in more hospitals under Ayushman Bharat in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities for the benefit of the poor in these areas. One of the key initiatives proposed in this year’s budget is the addition of 17,000 rural and 11,000 urban health and wellness centres which is a great move towards enhancing access to healthcare. Also, the government has proposed to set up integrated public health labs in each district with 3,382 block public health units across 11 states. The outlay of Rs 1.41 crore for the Swach Bharat 2.0 mission which will further help in the enhancement of sanitisation standards across the country. To effectively curb the Covid-19 pandemic, the government has also planned to set aside Rs 35,000 crore for Covid-19 Vaccine in FY22. Overall, it’s been an encouraging move from the government to promote healthcare in India with a holistic vision.
-Dr Dharminder Nagar, Managing Director, Paras Healthcare
A much-needed step in a direction of strengthening healthcare and promoting preventive healthcare has been taken
The budget does recognise the immediate needs for the Covid-19 pandemic and the vaccine requirements for the nation. The focus on spending on Covid measures and the vaccines will bring the much-needed stability to the public healthcare setup. The increase in budget outlay for health and welfare by 137% as compared to the previous year will boost the public health and pharmaceuticals sector. The PM Aatmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana to develop capacities of health care systems, develop institutions for detection and cure of new and emerging disease is the first step to boost rural health and keep the country ready for emergency handling of pandemic situations. The government will need to continue to invest in the development of human resources and infrastructure in the years to come. The decision to include the pneumococcal vaccine is also a welcome decision along with the announcement of Mission Poshan to improve nutritional outcomes for children. With Budget 2021, the government has taken a much-needed step in a direction of strengthening healthcare and promoting preventive healthcare. Robust monitoring and implementation plan in place will see the initiatives achieve great success.
-Dr Minnie Bodhanwala, CEO, Wadia Hospitals, Mumbai
Enhanced allocation along with holistic approach to healthcare will certainly augur well for the country
The Finance Minister has accorded special attention to the healthcare sector, increasing the overall outlay to health and wellbeing to nearly Rs 2.25 lakh crore. The enhanced allocation, along with the plan to look at healthcare holistically, including nutrition, sanitation, clean drinking water and pollution control, certainly augur well for the country. Significant focus also has been brought to scaling up infrastructure, like critical care capabilities as well as primary and secondary care facilities through the PM Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat programme. It is also very heartening that the FM promised higher allocations as required, as institutions absorb the funds committed at the first instance. All in all, it is a great beginning in the journey to take our healthcare system to world-class standards.
Further, the augmented government spend planned for capital expenditure by over 35% would aid job creation and growth in incomes, which would in turn enable people to spend on healthcare when required.
-Dilip Jose, Managing Director & CEO, Manipal Hospitals
Government is serious about the steps needed to reach a level of health preparedness
The health allocation in the first digital Union Budget reflects that the government is serious about the steps needed to reach a level of health preparedness. The budget outlay in health and welfare shows that our budget is focused on preventive, curative and holistic healthcare. The allotment of Rs 35,000 crore for Covid-19 vaccine research shows that more vaccines will be rolled out for the common masses and soon we will have a corona-free nation.
-Dr Shuchin Bajaj, Founder & Director, Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals
The budget will facilitate the creation of new and advanced institutions for emerging diseases.
The budget will strengthen the vision of Atma Nirbhar Bharat.It will provide a big boost to the healthcare industry working on the development of modalities for preventive healthcare, curative healthcare, and general wellness. Undoubtedly, it will help to expand the capacity of primary, secondary, and tertiary care health systems and strengthen national healthcare infrastructure. Also, it will facilitate the creation of new and advanced institutions for emerging diseases. We welcome these steps as we remain committed to building the nation’s healthcare infrastructure to fulfil the government’s mission.
-Dr GSK Velu, Chairman & Managing Director, Trivitron Healthcare
Government intends to be future-ready to address any healthcare crises
This year’s budget is pragmatic, positive and committed to the healthcare sector which needed a deliberate boost post unprecedented virus outbreak last year. Setting up of 15 Health Emergency Centres shows the government’s intent to be future-ready to address any healthcare crises. The proposals would make quality healthcare accessible and affordable, besides standardising healthcare infrastructure across the country.
-Harshit Jain, MD, CEO and Founder, Doceree
Emphasis on clean air, safe drinking water and nutrition critical for better maternal and child health
At the outset, I congratulate the Government of India for undertaking this arduous task in these unprecedentedly challenging times. The emphasis on clean air, safe drinking water and nutrition are critical factors for better maternal and child health and will go a long way in reducing both maternal mortality rate and infant mortality rate (IMR). This will improve the quality of life in the lowest strata of our society. Besides, the announced rollout of pneumococcal vaccine outside the existing five states to the entire country will also play a critical role in helping India contain infectious diseases as well as complement the Covid-19 vaccines in the process of building immunity as well as herd immunity.
-Dr Gauri Agarwal, Fertility expert
and Founder of Seeds of Innocence
A step to boost the medical device manufacturing
The government’s inclusion of preventive medicine, curative medicine and well being implies that it is taking a comprehensive view of health and not adopting an ad-hoc policy stance. The expansion of the PLI scheme with an allocation of Rs 1.97 lakh crore for the next five years will also impart a boost to the medical device manufacturing in the country.
– Ashok Patel, Founder & CEO, Max Ventilator
Government should aggressively initiate reforms in medical education
We have been saying that emphasis on promotive, preventive and primary care only can help in making a healthy India. One rupee spent on these 3 Ps can save five on curative care. Sanitation, drinking water, and nutrition have a similar impact. We are happy to note that the Union Budget is focused on these issues. Simultaneously, the government should aggressively initiate reforms in medical education including nursing and allied health workforce. In terms of resource allocation and policy support amid a once-in-a-century pandemic Union Budget 2021-22 looks progressive.
-Dr Girdhar Gyani, Director General, Association of Healthcare Providers- India ( AHPI)
