New Delhi: The Indian government increased the healthcare spending to Rs 90,958 crore for the 2024-25 fiscal year, a 2% rise from the previous year. This budget prioritizes infrastructure improvements, strengthens existing programs, and combines maternal and child health initiatives under the National Health Mission.
The Department of Health and Family Welfare receives the largest share, Rs 87,656 crore, a 12% increase. The Department of Health Research gets Rs 3,301 crore, a 13% jump, to support the Indian Council of Medical Research and other initiatives. Biotechnology research funding doubles to Rs 1,100 crore. However, funding for bio-security and pandemic research decreased by 35%.
The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) health insurance program saw a 7% funding boost to Rs 7,300 crore, extending coverage to ASHA and Anganwadi workers. The Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission also received a significant 63% increase, reaching Rs 3,756 crore.
Maternal and child health programs under the National Health Mission got Rs 28,783 crore, a 23% increase. The National Health Mission overall budget rose by 14% to Rs 36,000 Cr. The National Tele Mental Health Programme receives a 38% increase, while funding for the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission remains steady at Rs 200 crore. Disease surveillance and outbreak management see a 93% increase in funding to Rs 52 crore.
Despite overall healthcare spending increases, funding for human resources and medical education decreased by 16%, to Rs 1,274 crore. However, funding for capacity building within the Department of Health Research increased by 69%, reaching Rs 147 crore.
The budget also includes full customs duty exemptions for three cancer drugs and adjustments to duties on materials used in orthopedic implants and X-ray equipment. Funding for the pharmaceutical industry’s performance-linked incentive scheme increased from Rs 1,200 crore to Rs 2,143 crore. Increased provisions were also made for housing, childcare and nutrition programs, and traditional medicine (AYUSH).
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