In her Union Budget announcement for the fiscal year 2024-25, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized the urgent need to strengthen India’s healthcare infrastructure.
A central aspect of her speech was a strategic plan to leverage existing hospital facilities to create additional medical colleges, alongside a heightened focus on preventive healthcare measures.
Initiatives that were mentioned in the Lok Sabha today:
- Cervical Cancer Vaccination: A new initiative will promote cervical cancer vaccination for girls aged 9-14, aiming to prevent the onset of this prevalent disease.
- Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission: This mission's funding will substantially increase, rising from Rs 2,100 crore in the current fiscal year to Rs 4,108 crore for 2024-25, signalling a robust commitment to expanding healthcare infrastructure.
- Saksham Anganwadi Scheme: This scheme will upgrade existing Anganwadi centres, enhancing their ability to deliver critical early childhood services.
- Poshan 2.0 Initiative: To tackle malnutrition more effectively and improve early-stage healthcare services, the Poshan 2.0 initiative will be revamped with increased resources.
- Biotechnology and Research: Funding for biotechnology, research, and development will be doubled, increasing from Rs 500 crore in 2023-24 to Rs 1,100 crore for the next fiscal year.
- Cancer Treatment Medicines: Three essential cancer treatment medicines will be exempted from basic customs duty, reducing patient cost burden.
During her presentation in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, July 23, Sitharaman also outlined new schemes to enhance youth skills and foster research and innovation, reflecting a comprehensive approach to healthcare and development.