The budget for the Union Health Ministry for 2024–2025 has been raised to Rs 90,958.63 crore, a 12.96% increase above the revised estimate of Rs 80,517.62 crore from the previous year. The government’s commitment to enhancing healthcare services across is demonstrated by this increase.
The government has included exemptions from customs duties on three cancer therapy medications in this budget: trastuzumab Deruxtecan, osimertinib, and durvalumab. This bill attempts to lower the cost of these necessary medications for cancer patients, so easing their financial burden. Furthermore, under the Phased Manufacturing Program, modifications to the Basic Customs Duty on X-Ray tubes and flat panel detectors used in medical X-ray machines are being proposed. These adjustments aim to lower expenses in the healthcare industry and boost domestic manufacture.
A budget increase of Rs 3,712.49 crore for the AYUSH Ministry also reflects the growing significance of traditional medicine systems within the broader healthcare framework. The Department of Health and Family Welfare has been allotted Rs 87,656.90 crore of the overall budget, while the Department of Health Research has been given Rs 3,301.73 crore.
Centrally sponsored healthcare schemes have received significant boosts. The budget for the National Health Mission has increased from Rs 31,550.87 crore to Rs 36,000 crore. Similarly, the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna (PM-JAY) has seen its budget rise from Rs 6,800 crore to Rs 7,300 crore. The National Tele Mental Health Programme’s allocation has been raised from Rs 65 crore to Rs 90 crore, although the budget for the National Digital Health Mission remains unchanged at Rs 200 crore.
Funding for autonomous bodies has also increased, from Rs 17,250.90 crore in 2023-2024 to Rs 18,013.62 crore in 2024-25. Within this, the allocation for AIIMS, New Delhi, has gone up from Rs 4,278 crore to Rs 4,523 crore. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has received an increased allocation from Rs 2,295.12 crore to Rs 2,732.13 crore. Overall, these budgetary increases indicate a comprehensive approach to bolstering healthcare infrastructure, supporting medical research, and improving access to quality healthcare services in India. The exemptions and duty adjustments for cancer drugs and medical equipment are targeted efforts to reduce costs and enhance the availability of essential treatments and technologies.
SOURCE:
MEDICAL DIALOGUES
