Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman‘s released a budget that aims to ratchet up the economic status in the health sector and infrastructure areas. The fiscal deficit- the gap between its revenue and expenditure for the current financial year has upsurged to 9.5%, the highest since the nation launched its markets to the world in 1991. A budget of $8.5 bn for a period of six years and an additional $4.8 bn for covid vaccine programme has been allocated.
Subsequently, several doctors in Hyderabad shared that the annual budget could bring a great change in public healthcare institutions and the health statistics. Centre’s move in providing special provision of funds for the vaccine was lauded by doctors.
K. Hari Prasad, president of Apollo said that the decision to increase the provision towards health sector is a welcome move. Rising FDI limits in the sector and the proposed IPO of LIC would strengthen the insurance sector. Separate allocation towards vaccination is a compassionate step”.
The PM Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana with an outlay of Rs 64,180 crore and proposed sending of Rs 2.23 lakh crore would give a boost to the health sector. Insurance products would be accessible and affordable, said Dr Riyaz Khan, CEO of Continental Hospitals.
“A rise of 137% in expenditure for health care is an excellent step”, said Dr Mervin Leo, cluster COO of Gleneagles Global Hospitals