The Union Health Ministry has been allocated Rs 69,000 crore, inclusive of Rs 6,400 crore for PM Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), to healthcare in Budget 2020-21. This marks an increase from last year's Rs 62,659 crore.
Presenting the Budget, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that "presently, under PM Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) there are more than 20,000 empanelled hospitals. We need more in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities for poorer people under this scheme.
"It is proposed to set up Viability Gap funding window for setting up hospitals in the PPP mode. In the first phase, those aspirational districts will be covered, where presently there are no ayushman empanelled hospitals.
"This would also provide large scale employment opportunities to youth. Proceeds from taxes on medical devices would be used to support this vital health infrastructure" said the Minister.
Acknowledging that TB remains a health challenge, the Minister said that health authorities and the medical fraternity can target disease with an appropriately designed preventive regime using machine learning and artificial Intelligence (AI), in the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
Sitharaman said, "TB Harega Desh Jeetega campaign has been launched. I propose to strengthen these efforts towards our commitment to end Tuberculosis by 2025".
The Government has also plans to expand Jan Aushadhi Kendra Scheme to all districts offering 2,000 medicines and 300 surgicals by 2024.
Terming the Budget as 'landmark' budget, Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan said it aims to be built on three prominent and fundamental pillars of an aspirational India to boost the standard of living; economic development for all; and building a humane and compassionate society with Sabka Saath, SabkaVikas.
Apollo Hospitals Group Chairman Prathap C Reddy said that in addition to initiatives announced to improve access to medical care across the nation and boost human health resources, it was encouraging that vital determinant of good health which includes wellness, nutrition clean drinking water, and sanitation were at the forefront of this Budget.
NATHEALTH President H Sudarshan Ballal welcomed the Government's priority on capacity building by improving health infrastructure in Tier II & III cities and rural areas.
