HEALTH SECTOR HAILS INCREASED ALLOCATION, NEW SCHEMES IN BUDGET

Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan hailed the Union Budget 2021 that included a “remarkable” 137% increase for health and wellbeing sector. He praised the “visionary leadership” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and “prudence” of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for a taking another step in the direction of ‘Health For All’.

Vardhan also applauded Sitharam’s speech wherein she introduced health and wellbeing as the first pillar of the economy.

While announcing the Union Budget 2021 on Monday, the Finance Minister mentioned the six pillars of the economy including Health and Well-Being, Physical and Financial capital and infrastructure, Inclusive Development for Aspirational India, Reinvigorating Human Capital, Innovation and R&D, and Minimum Government, Maximum Governance.

Leading health sector players too hailed the Union Budget 2021-22 for increased allocation to the sector and new schemes.

Apollo Hospitals Group Chairman Dr Prathap C. Reddy said the ground-breaking focus on health will provide access to medical care for all in our country, fuel job creation and boost economic momentum. “The Covid-19 pandemic was an unprecedented medical crisis and it underlined the importance of building a resilient healthcare infrastructure. Today, the Finance Minister said health is her first pillar and her announcements to develop primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare systems, gladdened my heart,” he said. The allocation of Rs 35,000 crore for Covid-19 vaccines and more if required, makes our glorious nation stand tall as a model for the world, he added.

Apollo Group President Dr K. Hari Prasad said that the pandemic propelled health into the forefront and this is aptly reflected in the Budget. “The outlay towards prevention, treatment and wellness is welcome and should impact the health indices positively. Almost the entire budget is targeted at public healthcare infrastructure and facilities and talks about enhancing primary, secondary and tertiary care. This must improve public healthcare infrastructure and services which is a welcome phenomenon,” he said.

Gleneagles Global Hospitals Cluster COO Dr Mervin Leo welcomed the Budget and the allocations made to the health sector. “Finance Minister’s announcement to spend more on primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare over the next six years is much appreciated,” he said.

The Finance Minister announced that Rs 64,180 crore will be invested over six years to improve primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare. “Her focus on improving rural and urban health infrastructure in addition to the existing National Health Mission will certainly see many new initiatives coming up, which will help improve the health index of people in the country,” he said.

Prime Minister’s Aatmanirbhar Swasthya Bharat Yojana (ANSBY) is a great step forward in these times to boost the rural health infrastructure, where public health is in dire need of funding, said Medicover Group of Hospitals Chairman and Managing Director, Dr Anil Krishna. “The Rs 64,180 crore funding as part of ANSBY will also make the nation ready for the emergency handling of Covid-19 pandemic situations,” he said.

With agency inputs