This is a very progressive budget. It lays stress on using communications technology to deliver various services to the citizens. I believe this will help further the growth of sectors like healthcare and help them reach the under-served areas of the country.
The Finance Minister has announced a Digital India program to bridge the digital divide and ensure broadband connectivity at the village level and improved access to services through IT-enabled platforms. This is a commendable initiative that will strengthen governance and delivery of healthcare services in rural hinterlands.
The launch of “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” scheme to improve the delivery of welfare services to women is very encouraging. I believe that fixing fundamental issues in society will help us tackler larger problems.
In addition, the steps taken in the budget to empower local technology manufacturers and increase focus on entrepreneurship are in the right direction. We at World Health Partners also customise solutions to take health services to the last mile by leveraging latest technology. The reduction in duty on components used in manufacture of personal computers will encourage their adoption even at the grassroots level, helping in the provision of tele-medicine. I welcome the thrust in the budget on using technology to empower people in rural areas. The fact that this has been addressed at the highest possible level gives the healthcare industry an assurance that many required initiatives will see the light of the day and benefit the society.
– Gopi Gopalakrishnan, President & Founder, World Health Partners