Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled the Union Budget 2025, highlighting the importance of healthcare development, medical tourism, and better access to medical services. The government has set aside ₹98,311 crore for the healthcare sector, up from ₹90,658.63 crore in the last fiscal year. Significant announcements included customs duty exemptions on life-saving medications, the expansion of medical education, initiatives for cancer care, and improved connectivity for healthcare services.
Budget 2025 Healthcare Allocation
1. Healthcare Budget Allocation
- ₹98,311 crore allocated for healthcare in FY2025-26.
- Increase from ₹90,658.63 crore in FY2024-25.
- ₹2,445 crore set aside for the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to boost the pharmaceutical industry.
2. ‘Heal in India’ Initiative for Medical Tourism
- New program to promote medical tourism in collaboration with the private sector.
- Aim: Position India as a global medical hub by leveraging its affordable and high-quality healthcare services.
3. Customs Duty Exemptions on Life-Saving Drugs
- 36 critical medicines for cancer and rare diseases fully exempted from basic customs duty.
- Expected to reduce treatment costs for patients suffering from chronic and life-threatening illnesses.
4. Expansion of Medical Education & Cancer Care
- 10,000 new medical seats to be created in the next year.
- Target: 75,000 additional medical seats over the next five years.
- 200 cancer daycare centers to be established across districts within three years.
- Gig workers to receive healthcare benefits under the PM Jan Arogya Yojana.
5. Enhancing Connectivity & Healthcare Access
- Government secondary schools and primary healthcare centers to receive broadband connectivity.
- Objective: Strengthen telemedicine, e-learning, and digital health services in rural and remote areas.
6. Economic Survey 2025: Mental Health & Lifestyle Choices
- Highlights the role of lifestyle choices in mental well-being.
- Healthy habits like avoiding ultra-processed foods and staying active improve mental health.
- Sedentary lifestyles (desk jobs, social media overuse) linked to mental health decline.
- Calls for preventive strategies to promote better mental health, particularly among India’s youth.
