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Written By: Editorial Team | Updated : February 29, 2016 7:08 PM IST
The Finance Minister today announced the budget for the coming financial year and the health care sector, as usual, was treated like the step child. 3000 new generic medicine drug stores will be set up across the country to counter the acute shortage of drugs and medicines in the country. In addition to this, a National Dialysis Programme will also be set up to address the high costs involved in dialysis. Also, every district hospital is also supposed to have one dialysis centre to save the cost of travelling to metro cities. Read more about it.
Apart from the health insurance if Rs 1 lakh per family, senior citizens of the age 60 years and above will be given an additional coverage of Rs 30,000.
Here's what the industry experts have to say about the budget--
Dr.Ramakanta Panda, VC & MD Asian Heart Institute, Mumbai
'The market has given a thumbs up to the budget. It's clearly a socially progressive budget, with a focus on India s farmers, digitally illiterate and the youth who need opportunities. It gives me great encouragement that healthcare has finally taken the centre stage in the Budget. 3000 stores are to be opened for affordable medicines. The announcement of a National Dialysis Services Programme could not have come at a better time, given the cost of non-communicable diseases. Also, the decision to put cooking gas in households, to safeguard the health of women has to face the curse of smoke while cooking is a positive move. Insurance scheme for senior citizens will give them dignity in society; it is much needed because they become a burden on their children when their health fails.'
D.PM Bhujang, Association of Hospital
'Out of the nine pillars of Union Budget, one was social healthcare. The major highlight in healthcare sector was the introduction of National Dialysis Programme. Also, the government has announced an exemption on basic dialysis equipment from customs duty, which is in line with AOH s recommendation. However, the government should also consider exemption of customs duty on critical medical equipment. Another important announcement provided for the opening of new medical stores with better quality and affordable medicines for the common man. This proposal will help to reduce the overall healthcare expenditure for the public in general. However, the quality of the medicines should be ensured. The newly introduced health protection scheme will provide health cover up to INR one lakh per family. For senior citizens, an additional top-up package of up to INR 30,000 will be provided. This particular healthcare insurance announcement is a welcome proposal.
In comparison to previous years, the 2016 Union budget seemed to lack lustre regarding the health care sector. Health care being one of the major concerns in the country, a lesser amount of focus was given to the development of this sector.'
Ms Ameera Shah, MD & CEO- Metropolis Healthcare.
'Overall a promising budget. Its heartening to see the fiscal discipline and a slew of initiatives for the under privileged. A lot of emphasis on infrastructure has set the right tone for overall economic reform. When it comes to healthcare, the union budget has rightly addressed the issue of unexpected healthcare expenses being a burden and pushing families in to poverty. The Health Protection Scheme and the Rs. 1 Lakh cover will surely help the families in need. However the budget has once again failed to address any kind of healthcare reform. It is important that the leaders from this industry are heard in the policy process where they can join hands with the Government to spearhead more planned and regulated funds for health and healthcare. This by far has been the most disappointing budget for health. It is time that the government realizes that Health is an important indicator of economic development and work towards an overarching vision for healthcare.'
Source: Various Press Releases
