The National Health Assurance Mission is said to be close to Prime Minister Modi’s heart. He has spoken frequently about how diseases debilitate the finances of poor households much more than those of well-off households. Hence I am hoping that the upcoming budget in the health sector would emphasise on increasing the provision for healthcare industry, focusing on preventive care, targeting greater reach and significantly improving the productivity of private and public healthcare spending.
Given the growing population, changing demographics, disease profile and shift from chronic to lifestyle diseases, its necessary to investment in the healthcare sector. Allowing FDI in healthcare, reducing the tax on import of advance technology medical equipment will enhance and expand India’s healthcare infrastructure. Further giving tax benefits to private hospitals coming up in tier 2 and 3 cities, and bringing down the cost of drugs mainly for the treatment of chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, and cardiac diseases, in which India ranks top among the world, will ensure affordable treatment to all.
Every common man should have access to quality and affordable healthcare. The longtime wish for increase in the fund outlay to six per cent of GDP is still a dream. The Indian government should firmly make provision for an increase in the healthcare budget. This will ensure that the out of pocket expenditure of patients comes down, thereby reducing the economic burden on the common man.
