Union Budget 2025-26 Falls Flat for India's Struggling Healthcare Sector

Union Budget 2025-26 Falls Flat for India's Struggling Healthcare Sector

New Delhi: The Union Budget 2025-26 has left the healthcare sector in India unimpressed despite promises of progress, according to experts. The budget allocates a modest ₹98,000 crores, which experts feel is not enough to address the country's growing healthcare crisis.

Speaking to ETHealthworld, Dr. B.S. Ajaikumar, Founder and Executive Chairman of HealthCare Global Enterprises Ltd., said, "While the reduction in customs duties on cancer drugs and the addition of 36 life-saving medicines to the Patient Assistance Program (PAP) are steps in the right direction, they fall far short of addressing the real needs of the healthcare sector."

Vishal Bali, Executive Chairman of Asia Healthcare Holdings, also expressed concerns about the lack of significant investments in cancer care improvements. "These promises sound promising but raise concerns about funding and quality," he said.

The Ayushman Bharat scheme has also been criticized for its inadequate allocation of ₹9,000 crores, which experts feel barely scratches the surface of its growing demands.

In a recent webinar held by ETHealthworld, industry leaders discussed the Union Budget 2025-26 and its implications on the healthcare sector. The panelists included Dr. Shuchin Bajaj, Founder Director of Ujala Cygnus Hospital; Bhanu Prakash Kalmath S J, Partner and Healthcare Industry Leader at Grant Thornton Bharat LLP.

The session highlighted points of contention, including the lack of significant investments in healthcare infrastructure and personnel. "This budget appears to be more of a quick fix than a genuine overhaul for India's healthcare crisis," Dr. Ajaikumar said.

In response to ETHealthworld's queries, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's office said that the budget was designed to boost economic growth while ensuring sustainable development. However, experts feel that addressing India's healthcare needs requires a more comprehensive and long-term approach.

As the country looks to tackle its growing healthcare crisis, industry leaders are calling for increased funding, investments in infrastructure, and significant reforms in the existing healthcare system.

"It's time for policymakers to take bold steps towards providing better healthcare facilities across the country," Dr. Bali said.