The Union Budget 2024-25 presented on July 23 by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman did not mention health among the nine top priorities of the government. The budget virtually neglected adequate investment in the health, nutrition, education, and social empowerment of critical demographic groups identified by the government as GYAN — Garib (poor), Yuva (youth), Annadata (farmers), and Nari (women)”. It is highly unexpected to see health to be missing among the nine top priorities of the government. Access to affordable healthcare, nutrition, and social security is very important for the country’s growth.
The budget of the Department of Health and Family Welfare has increased from Rs 86,175 crore in 2023-24 to only Rs 87,656 crore in 2024-25. India needs more allocation of funds in the healthcare sector to focus on providing healthcare — whether primary, secondary or tertiary care — at the doorsteps of the rural population. If we are to have a 5 trillion economy in the next few years, we need a healthy India, and focus by the government on the healthcare sector is a must. There is also a need for developing tailor-made health services to cater to the needs of the ageing population in the country.
One of the most concerning findings of the last round of the National Family Health Survey was the poor nutritional outcomes of young people. How can an unhealthy, malnourished population become a productive workforce? India is the most populous country, with the largest young population in the world. Women also constitute half of our population. For the country to leverage this demographic advantage, holistic investments in the health of this population are imperative.
However, the Central government’s move to exempt customs duty on three more cancer drugs is a welcome step. The three drugs are Trastuzumab deruxtecan (for breast cancer), Osimertinib (lung cancer drug for EGFR mutation), and Durvalumab (for lung and biliary tract cancers). Cancer drugs are very expensive and life-saving. Since cancer patients require long-term treatment, the exemption of customs duty on the three drugs will give relief to the countless cancer patients in the country.
The exemption of customs duty on components of X-ray tubes and digital detectors will lead to spurring of indigenous manufacturing of digital X-ray machines in India and contribute to component availability at lower costs, and reduce healthcare costs. The increased expenditure for the National Health Mission (NHM) by about Rs 4,000 crore and also the proposed digital public infrastructure (DPI) at a population scale is another good move. Under the increased NHM spending from Rs 31,550 crore to Rs 36,000 crore for FY 2024-25 there will be more government spending in primary and secondary public healthcare facilities which will reduce the public’s out-of-pocket expenditure.
