Union Budget 2016: Healthcare finally takes centre stage, says Apollo

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced the Union Budget 2016-17 on Monday and he laid out the roadmap to “ensure macro-economic stability and prudent fiscal management.”

Accordingly, the budget proposals provided ways to ensure growth while tackling tough economic conditions.

Prathap C Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group said: “Today the Hon’ble Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley has presented a comprehensive budget covering the livelihood of India’s soul – its rural population. The Union Budget 2016-17 seems to be aimed at putting more money in the hands of the citizens. I would like to outline three specific initiatives that I think will go a long way in creating an educated, healthier and stronger India: The government’s aim to double income of farmers in five years; new initiatives to increase irrigation access, and its objective to skill 1-crore youth in the next three years. I commend the Hon’ble Finance Minister for encouraging the National Skill Mission which will play a very significant role in health sector providing multi-skill training and employment both within and outside the country.”

Healthcare has finally taken center stage in the Budget with initiatives like the Health Protection Scheme of Rs 1 lakh to cover unforeseen illness in poor families with an additional Rs 30,000 for senior citizens. In addition, the government also plans to add 3,000 pharmacies under the Jan Aushadhi Yojana to provide generic drugs at affordable rates.

Suneeta Reddy, Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals added, “The Health Protection Scheme, Jan Aushadhi Yojana and the National Dialysis Services Program are steps in the right direction to address the health issues facing our people – a healthy India will ensure the vitality of not just the economy but also its people.”

In the present day, our country is reeling under the burden of Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in the form of cardiovascular diseases, cancers and diabetes which are the leading cause of mortality, accounting for 60 per cent of all mortalities in India as per a WHO Report. The budget has also addressed the issue of NCDs in particular diabetes – one of the primary reasons for kidney failure which requires regular dialysis. The Finance Minister has announced the National Dialysis Services Program, to tackle renal diseases.

“Public and Private sectors need to work together to bring awareness on early detection. The Hon’ble Finance Minister, using the power of ‘Minimum Government and Maximum Governance’ announced the working with private sector on a National Dialysis Services Programme, which could not have come at a better time, given the burgeoning growth of non-communicable diseases. According to the Finance Minister, the programme will be made available in all district hospitals on a public-private partnership model and on behalf of all the healthcare private sector providers, we welcome this endeavour,” added Reddy.