Union Budget is a step to bolster India’s healthcare system, particularly in cancer care and affordability of life-saving treatments.
The budget is a crucial step towards ensuring financial and health security for millions of independent workers in India.
DAYCARE
The Finance Minister’s proposal to set up daycare centers across India is a significant step. This can be achieved either by upgrading civil hospitals or peripheral health centers to provide chemotherapy funded by the budget.
According to the latest cancer statistics, head and neck cancers, including oral and throat cancer, account for a large portion of the cancer burden in India. Breast cancer also contributes significantly. Gynaecological cancers add to nearly 70 per cent of the burden.
For a majority of these cancer cases, first-line chemotherapy can be effectively administered at well-equipped daycare centers. Proper training and support are essential.
This approach will help manage a significant portion of the country’s cancer load.
LIFE SAVING DRUGS
The budget also includes the exemption of basic customs duty on 36 life-saving drugs. It offers concessional rates on six more. This is a crucial step in reducing treatment costs for patients battling cancer, rare diseases, and chronic illnesses.
Additionally, waiving customs duty on medicines provided through patient assistance programs is a progressive move. It help in expanding access to essential drugs for those in financial distress.
Yet, it is vital to ensure transparency in the implementation of these programs. Efficiency is also crucial. This ensures that the support reaches those who need it most. Clear budget allocations will aid this process.
The Central Government has added almost 1.1 lakh undergraduate and post-graduate medical education seats in 10 years, an increase of 130%. In the next year, 10,000 additional seats will be added in medical colleges and hospitals. This contributes to the goal of adding 75,000 medical education seats in the next five years.
Medical tourism and healing in India will also be promoted along with the private sector, including easier visa norms.
(Dr Naresh Purohit is executive member of the Federation of Hospital Administrator And Advisor-National Cancer Control Programme. The views expressed here are of the author)
