Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday allocated Rs 99, 858.56 crore in the Budget 2025-2026 for the health sector. The key attractions for the health included the government's announcement of setting up daycare cancer centres at all district hospitals over the next three years.
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In the fiscal year 2025-26, around 200 of these cancer centres would be set up.
Among other announcements in the sector included addition of 10,000 seats in medical colleges next year towards the goal of adding 75,000 seats in the next five years.
In a relief to those suffering from rare diseases, cancer and chronic diseases, the government has fully exempted 36 lifesaving drugs from the basic customs duty. In the case of imported drugs, government had earlier cut customs duty on Trastuzumab Deruxtecan, Osimertinib and Durvalumab from 10 per cent to zero.
Also, there is a reason for the gig workers to cheer as the finance minister announce that they will be provided healthcare facilities under PM Jan Aarogya Yojana (PM-JAY) that would benefit nearly 1 crore such workers.
Inorder to promote health tourism, 'Heal in India' campaign will be promoted by roping up the private sector.
Bugetory allocation for the AYUSH ministry has also been increased to Rs 3,992.90 crore, recording a 14.15 per cent rise compared to the earlier figure.
Also, the allocation for the National Health Mission has been increased Rs 36,000.00 crore in 2024-25 to Rs 37,226.92 crore in the current budget. The National Tele Mental Health Programme was allotted 79.60 crore while the National Digital Health Mission has been earmarked Rs 340.11 crore from Rs 225 crore in the 2024-25 fiscal.
